UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 23, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

CEC does not certify the Serbian List for local elections (media)
Kryeziu: Serbian List’s de facto leader remains Radoicic (media)
Haxhiu: Non-certification of Serbian List, key victory for democracy (media)
Bajrami to VV: Theft can’t be covered by false patriotism (Koha)
Cakolli: Political theater in CEC, ECAP will overturn the decision (Koha)
Prattipati: Caretaker PM Kurti, LVV trying to exclude some Serbian parties (media)
OSCE Reacts to non-certification of Serbian List (media)
PDK appeals ERO’s decision to Constitutional Court (media)

Serbian Language Media:

CEC did not certify Serbian List for local elections in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
Serbian List, high officials react to non-certification of party (media, social media)
Serbian Democracy not certified either: They attempted to discredit us referring to proceeding against Arsenijevic (KoSSev, media)
McGurk: Participation of all communities in electoral process essential for democratic stability (media, social media)
Serbian flag removed from memorial in Gorazdevac (media)
27 years since abduction of journalists Slavuj and Perenic: Search for truth continues (Kosovo Online, media)
Vucic, Moscow’s Ambassador discuss meeting with top Russian officials (N1)
CoE rapporteur alarmed at surge of violence in Serbia (N1)

Albanian Language Media

CEC does not certify the Serbian List for local elections (media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has not certified the Serbian List for the upcoming October 12 local elections. The vote ended with 2 in favor, 2 against, and 7 abstentions, resulting in the Serbian List not receiving certification. The CEC’s Party Recommendation Office noted that the Serbian List candidates did not appear on the lists from the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Serbian List includes candidates for mayors in 11 municipalities and for municipal assemblies in 19 municipalities, 238 candidates in total. The office requested verification, but none of the candidates were found in the relevant institutions’ lists from the KJC or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; therefore, we recommend not certifying the Serbian List,” stated the CEC office official.

Sami Kurteshi, the LVV representative on the CEC, declined to comment on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs report regarding the Serbian List. He asserted that the Serbian List carries a terrorist legacy. “We are dealing with a political party that has a terrorist legacy. Beyond that, there are individuals who have carried out terrorist attacks and other actions. Among them are individuals who, in fact, work subversively against the Republic of Kosovo. They hold parallel positions for Serbia while simultaneously holding positions in our institutions,” Kurteshi said.

Arianit Elshani, the PDK member on the CEC, said that all institutions had recommended certifying the Serbian List. As such, his party abstained from the vote. “These issues should be addressed institutionally. PDK abstains from certification; we do not support certification until security institutions take steps that guide how to handle this party. We don’t want to get involved in a media battle; the process must remain institutional. We should not contribute to topics that have no argument in the proper forums, such as the Interior Ministry and security agencies,” he said.

LDK’s representative Sami Hamiti countered that if the Serbian List is indeed terrorist, then relevant institutions must make that determination. “We’ve received various documents that even we have, but security agencies do not. That’s worrying. Today, the National Security Council should convene, review these documents, and advise us. Security institutions must assess and say whether this is a terrorist organization; we won’t be those who declare. Let them do their job, make our job easier. Just show us: this is the list. Of course, we can’t certify something that shouldn't be,” he added.

Kryeziu: Serbian List’s de facto leader remains Radoicic (media)

Kosovo government spokesperson Perparim Kryeziu stated that the position of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Vetevendosje regarding the Serbian List is well known and nothing new. Kryeziu emphasized that illegal, parallel structures orchestrated by Serbia continue to use the Serbian List as their platform in Kosovo. He noted that the Serbian List has not improved since the last elections; if anything, it has worsened. “The de facto leader of this political entity remains Milan Radoicic, who along with 44 other Serbian paramilitaries, is not only linked to undeniable facts, but also faces an indictment related to the terrorist-paramilitary attack in Banjska on September 24, 2023, which resulted in the death of Kosovo police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku,” he said

Kryeziu underscored that Kosovo authorities have designated other groups, such as the "Civil Protection" and "Northern Brigade" as terrorist organizations back on June 29, 2023, despite harsh criticism at the time. He emphasized that Kosovo does not ban political parties, including the Serbian List, but it is then up to the Central Election Commission to deny certification, and to the judicial and prosecutorial bodies to act upon the ample evidence and intelligence available.

Haxhiu: Non-certification of Serbian List, key victory for democracy (media)

Caretaker Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu described the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) decision not to certify the Serbian List in its session today as a significant win for democracy. In a Facebook post, she stated that the Serbian List has repeatedly acted as an extension of Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic. “The decision to deny certification of the Serbian List for local elections represents a major victory for democracy, for the integrity of the electoral process, and for both public and state security. The Serbian List has persistently violated constitutional principles and undermined Kosovo’s democratic order. It has proven that it seeks not civic representation but to serve Vucic’s interests. The terrorist attack in Banjska, organized by its de facto leader and war criminal Milan Radoicic is one of the acts that the Republic of Kosovo confronts resolutely.”

She further asserted that the non-certification decision was just, legitimate, and fully aligned with Kosovo’s constitutional principles, underscoring that it guarantees elections as a reflection of citizens' free will, unaffected by external pressure or criminal influence.

Haxhiu concluded by affirming that Kosovo’s institutions remain committed to ensuring a fair, inclusive, and democratic electoral process, one that includes only political entities that uphold the law, the Constitution, and Kosovo’s sovereignty.

Bajrami to VV: Theft can’t be covered by false patriotism (Koha)

LDK MP Hykmete Bajrami sharply criticized Vetevendosje Movement’s stance and statements opposing the certification of the Serbian List for the October 12 local elections, calling it "false patriotism."

“Theft, failures, sole-source tenders, nepotism, hijacking of institutions, and ties to the energy mafia cannot be covered by false patriotism, neither through Serbia, nor the bridges you're building, nor the Serbian List. You’re the same people who created a corridor for Radoicic, allowing him to flee in broad daylight under camera surveillance, yet you never declared the Serbian List a terrorist organization, even after they claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Banjska. Today, you're playing the patriotic card, hypocrites!” Bajrami wrote on Facebook.

Cakolli: Political theater in CEC, ECAP will overturn the decision (Koha)

Senior researcher at the Kosovo Democratic Institute, Eugen Cakolli, stated that the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) decision not to certify the Serb List will be overturned by the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP). He criticized the CEC’s move as an overstep of its authority and politicizing the electoral process.

Cakolli described the CEC’s decision as a political act rather than a legal one, asserting that the Panel has the mandate to invalidate that decision. He explained that any honest attempt at certification, even if undertaken, would still remain legally contestable unless backed by judicial or security institutions.

Prattipati: Caretaker PM Kurti, LVV trying to exclude some Serbian parties (media)

U.S. Diplomat Anu Prattipati visited caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti to express concern about potential attempts to bar certain Kosovo Serb parties from taking part in the local elections scheduled for October 12. She emphasized that this trend appears to be emerging from PM Kurti and his party, Vetevendosje.

“I raised concerns that the caretaker Prime Minister and Vetevendosje seem to be considering restricting some political parties from participating in the upcoming local elections. Let me be clear: all Kosovan citizens must have the full opportunity to elect their representatives.”

Prattipati noted that the United States is closely monitoring the situation. “It’s crucial that Kosovo Serbs are included in this electoral process, and we’re concerned about any effort to limit their participation. I made these points clear to the caretaker Prime Minister and emphasized U.S. attention to this issue.”

OSCE Reacts to non-certification of Serbian List (media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo responded to the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) refusal to certify the Serbian List for the October 12 local elections, warning that this decision is eroding democratic pluralism.“Excluding political actors undermines democratic pluralism, weakens trust in institutions, and reduces opportunities for fair representation across all communities. The Mission emphasizes that full and genuine participation of all communities in the electoral process is essential for sustainable democratic integrity and long-term stability.”

The OSCE added that it will continue to closely monitor subsequent legal procedures, including those involving the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) in the aftermath of the Serbian List’s non-certification.

PDK appeals ERO’s decision to Constitutional Court (media)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has submitted a request to the Constitutional Court to annul the Energy Regulatory Office’s (ERO) decision, which requires over 1,000 businesses to enter the free energy market. PDK MP Abelard Tahiri explained at a press conference, following the filing of the request, that both the Basic Court and the Court of Appeals had already upheld this decision, which they believe severely damages Kosovo’s economy. Initially, PDK sought a temporary measure to suspend the decision’s implementation, with the intention to later seek its full annulment.

Tahiri highlighted the immediate negative impact: around 900 businesses have had their electricity cut off, plunging them into crisis without salaries. As a result, these businesses are forced to purchase electricity at approximately 280% higher prices than just a few months ago.

Serbian Language Media

CEC did not certify Serbian List for local elections in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) in Pristina did not certify Serbian List for participation in upcoming local elections in Kosovo, Tanjug news agency reported.

CEC President Kreshnik Radoniqi and a Serbian List member voted for certification, two Self-determination members voted against, while seven other CEC members abstained.

Self-determination members Sami Kurteshi and Alban Krasniqi voted against certification of the Serbian List, claiming that this party candidates for mayors and municipal assembly councilors also hold functions in, as they said, “parallel Serbian bodies in Kosovo”.

Serbian List, high officials react to non-certification of party (media, social media)

Following the Central Election Commission (CEC) decision not to certify its mayoral and municipal assembly candidates, the Serbian List said this act represents yet another example of political discrimination and “engineering” by Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, aimed at preventing their participation in elections while favoring “pseudo-Serb parties close to him”, Serbian media reported.

Serbian List underlined its candidates were not certified despite meeting all legal requirements and despite the fact that the competent Office for Certification confirmed all candidates fully satisfied the criteria. “Such behavior constitutes a severe blow to the rule of law and proves that the international community, even after more than two decades, has failed to establish a fair and democratic system. Kurti’s disregard for calls to respect the law and the rights of the Serbian people should, we believe, prompt a serious reaction”, the Serbian List said. The party also vowed to continue fighting for the interest of Serbian people in Kosovo.

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric in a post on X said “decision of the Central Election Commission in Priština to block the certification of @srpskalista is yet another flagrant example of political engineering aimed at excluding the #Serb people from democratic life. By rejecting duly submitted candidacies that fully meet all legal requirements, the authorities in Priština have once again trampled upon the rule of law and revealed their true intent – to silence the legitimate voice of #Serbs in #KosovoandMetohija”.

“Such discriminatory measures not only violate fundamental democratic principles, but also run directly contrary to the commitments undertaken in dialogue, where the right of Serbs to authentic political representation was explicitly guaranteed. Instead of fostering coexistence and trust, the authorities in Priština are systematically deepening divisions and undermining stability”, Djuric added. Read the full post at: https://tinyurl.com/3rw6cjda

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Petar Petkovic, said that the Central Election Commission, acting “under the direct orders of Albin Kurti,” refused to certify the Serbian List for participation in the October 12 local elections. Petkovic stressed that Kurti’s move against the Serbian List is in fact “an attack on the entire Serbian people in Kosovo”. Petkovic also said “nothing is over”, adding that the Serbian List “will fight and will prevail”.

“By Kurti’s direct order, the CEC tonight rejected the participation of the Serbian List in the local elections. This is the same attempt to extinguish the Serbian List as in December of last year. Kurti’s strike on the Serbian List is a strike on the entire Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. That is why there is no doubt whom the Serbs support. Nothing is over - the Serb List will fight and will prevail”, Petkovic wrote in a post on X social platform.

Serbian Minister for European Integration Nemanja Starovic said last evening, in response to the decision of the Central Election Commission not to certify the participation of the Serbian List in the local elections, that such a move constitutes a violation of legal standards and obligations arising from the dialogue. Starovic wrote in a post on X social platform that the international community must address this repression.

“The provisional authorities in Kosovo have blocked the certification of the Serbian List for the upcoming local elections, undermining the democratic rights of Serbs. This violates legal standards and dialogue obligations. The international community must address this repression”, Starovic noted.

Serbian Democracy not certified either: They attempted to discredit us referring to proceeding against Arsenijevic (KoSSev, media)

In addition to the Serbian List, the Serbian Democracy did not receive confirmation of its candidacy yesterday. “The Central Election Commission today made a shameful, unlawful, and politically motivated decision that bans Serbian Democracy from participating in the upcoming local elections in Kosovo”, the party said last evening, KoSSev portal reported.

Serbian Democracy also said that certain members of the Central Election Commission (CEC) tried during the discussion to discredit the Serbian Democracy by referring to proceedings against the party president, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, despite the fact that “in the very elaboration of the decision, it is clearly acknowledged that there was no legal obstacle to verifying our party, and that the Office for Candidate Certification gave a positive recommendation”.

“We want to underline that the set-up to our president (in reference to weapons found in an open barn at Arsenijevic’s property in Valac village) was not by chance. It is part of a wider political hunt aiming to silence and eliminate the only authentic opposition force of Serbs in Kosovo – Serbian Democracy. This orchestrated campaign aims to discourage Serbian people and deny them the right to free choice”, the party added.

They also announced the use of all legal remedies, including the right to appeal to the Election Appeals and Complaints Panel, as well as domestic and international mechanisms available.

McGurk: Participation of all communities in electoral process essential for democratic stability (media, social media)

In response to decision of Central Election Commission not to certify the Serbian List for participation in the October 12 local elections, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo underlined that the right to take part in free and fair elections is a cornerstone of democratic governance and a fundamental element of an inclusive political life, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“For years, the Central Election Commission has played a key role in fostering electoral standards in Kosovo. Excluding political actors undermines democratic pluralism, weakens trust in institutions, and reduces the possibility of fair representation for all communities”, OSCE Head of Mission Gerard McGurk said on the social platform X.

The Mission emphasized that the full and genuine participation of all communities in the electoral process is of crucial importance for long-term democratic resilience, integrity, and stability. McGurk added that the OSCE Mission will continue to closely monitor the situation, including potential subsequent legal proceedings before the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel in response to the decision not to certify the Serbian List for participation.

Serbian flag removed from memorial in Gorazdevac (media)

The Serbian flag has been removed from the memorial in Gorazdevac dedicated to the village residents who perished during the NATO bombing in 1999 and the children who were killed in an armed attack at Bistrica River in 2003. Residents of Gorazdevac confirmed to Kosovo Online they noticed earlier on Thursday that the Serbian flag had been taken down from the memorial.

The portal recalled that unknown individuals had previously removed the flag from this monument on January 9 of this year, but local Serbs restored it the very next day. On August 13, at the commemoration marking the 22nd anniversary of the murder of the boys at the Bistrica River, a memorial service was held at the site, and Malinka Mitrovic, representing the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, laid a wreath.

27 years since abduction of journalists Slavuj and Perenic: Search for truth continues (Kosovo Online, media)

On the road between Velika Hoca and Zociste, at the site where journalists of Radio Pristina Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic were last seen 27 years ago before all traces of them disappeared, journalists, colleagues, and family members gathered yesterday to demand the fate of the two media workers be clarified and those responsible be brought to justice.

Carrying photographs of the abducted journalists and a banner in Serbian and Albanian reading “Return our colleagues”, those gathered by the memorial plaque dedicated to Slavuj and Perenic reiterated their determination not to abandon the pursuit of justice. Representatives of the OSCE also attended the commemoration.

Ivana Vanovac, President of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo and Metohija, emphasized that twenty-seven years is a long time to repeat the same story, but that all journalists know the importance of perseverance once a story begins - especially in order to achieve results.