Albanian Language Media: 

• Assembly fails to constitute, LVV candidates fail to be elected (media)
• Murati: We changed candidates, opposition making excuses to stall (media)
• Krasniqi: Dehari ignored our request for consultation (media)
• Abdixhiku: Without agreement, there’s no vote for anyone (RTK)
• Osmani: Kosovo strengthening defense, needs NATO membership (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo supports Ukraine’s sovereignty (RTK)
• ECAP orders CEC to certify Serbian List for October 12 elections (media)
• CEC receives ECAP decision to certify the Serbian List (media)
• Haxhiu: ECAP's decision to certify Serbian List scandalous (media)
• Mayor of Zvecan announces decision to remove mural of Mladic (media)
• Protest in North Mitrovica in support of Serbian government (RTK)
• Suspect  for attack on KFOR and police officers arrested (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Election Complaints and Appeals Panel: CEC decision on Serbian List unlawful, appeal upheld (media)
• Murals dedicated to Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije and other graffiti painted over in North Mitrovica and Zvecan (Kosovo Online, media)
• Raska-Prizren Diocese: Stop activities threatening peace and coexistence (Kosovo Online, media)
• Reactions to removal of murals in Mitrovica North and Zvecan (media)
• Serbian List: Arrest of Lj. M., from Zvecan yet another in a series of politically motivated persecutions (media)
• Media: Self-determination Movement Novo Brdo municipal councilor candidate arrested over cannabis plantations
• KFOR completes temporary deployment of reserves (N1)
• Vucevic: End of 2026 a realistic and responsible date for next parliamentary elections (N1, media)
• Peaceful protests across Serbia, no police intervention (N1, media)
• OSCE’s Braathu calls Belgrade to investigate attacks on journalists (N1)

Albanian Language Media

Assembly fails to constitute, LVV candidates fail to be elected (media)

On Sunday, members of the Assembly of Kosovo convened for the 57th session in yet another attempt to elect the Speaker of the Assembly. This marked the third unsuccessful attempt since the ruling of the Constitutional Court, which stipulates that candidates can be voted on only up to three times and that the voting must be open.

Vetevendosje (LVV) came forward with three proposals. Initially, for the second time in a row, Hekuran Murati was proposed, but he failed to secure the required number of votes.

Out of 106 MPs present, Murati received 55 votes in favor, 46 against, and 5 abstentions.

After his failure, Murati then proposed the caretaker Minister of Education, Arberie Nagavci, who also did not gather sufficient support. She received 55 votes in favor, 47 against, and 4 abstentions.

Following this, Nagavci proposed MP Dimal Basha, but he too failed to be elected. Basha received 57 votes in favor, 25 against, and 24 abstentions.

With this, the third and final attempt under the current legal framework has failed, leaving the Assembly still without a Speaker.

Murati: We changed the candidate, opposition making excuses to stall for time (media)

Hekuran Murati from the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) has accused opposition parties of stalling the constitution process, despite his party’s willingness to propose different candidates. “They told us to change the candidate, we changed them. They said someone who hasn’t been part of the government, we proposed that. So these have been continuous excuses to drag out the process. This is wasted time for citizens and institutions,” he said.

“They’re asking for a figure of unity, but in fact, that’s needed for the position of president,” Murati added, following the 57th failed constitutive session.

Neither Hekuran Murati, Arberie Nagavci, nor Dimal Basha managed to secure enough votes in the constitutive session held on Sunday.

Krasniqi: Dehari ignored our request for consultation (media)

The leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Memli Krasniqi, has reiterated his party’s stance that they will not vote for candidates from the government cabinet. “Through the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, MP Sala Jashari, we attempted to get approval for a 10-minute break. Dehari completely ignored it, even though today could have been the best opportunity to elect the Speaker of the Assembly, even if that person had been Dimal Basha,” he said, following the 57th failed attempt to constitute the Assembly after three different candidates were proposed for Speaker.

Krasniqi called for a pause to be granted in future sessions, in case a proposed candidate fails, to allow for consultations between parliamentary groups. “Those who are not ministers could get our vote. Today, it could have been Dimal Basha. But their arrogance, they need to understand that we owe VV nothing in terms of votes,” Krasniqi stated.

Abdixhiku: Without agreement, there’s no vote for anyone (RTK)

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, has reacted following the failure of Sunday’s parliamentary constitutive session. In a Facebook post, Abdixhiku wrote that “this is their level.”

“Why are you surprised? This is their level. This is the state we’ve fallen to as a country. These are the people who aim to lead this state. They despise you, that is why they represent you with disdain,” Abdixhiku wrote.

According to him, LDK’s positions have been principled and consistent from day one. “Because they are principled, they rise above pathetic political games. Without an agreement, there can be no majority. Without an agreement, there can be no vote for anyone! We offered a unity agreement, they didn’t want it. Now let them bear the responsibility for the blockage,” Abdixhiku stated.

Osmani: Kosovo strengthening defense industry, needs NATO membership (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, participated in the European Forum held in Austria. The discussion focused on Kosovo’s steps toward the future, geopolitical developments, and the future of the European Union. “It is crucial that we move forward quickly on our strategic priorities, and that means NATO membership,” Osmani said at the Forum.

She stated that Kosovo is actively strengthening its defense sector, including both armament and personnel. “We are working hard on our defense industry and even have capable people for this. For countries that still face security challenges, it is very important that the new generation is constantly educated that freedom is never guaranteed, and it is never a given. Democracy is never guaranteed or a given either. These are values you must fight for,” she continued.

Osmani also spoke about the most recent war in Kosovo and “the support from allies in stopping the genocide in the country.”

Kurti: Kosovo supports Ukraine’s sovereignty (RTK)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, congratulated Ukraine on its National Day, reaffirming Kosovo’s commitment to supporting the country’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. “Today, on the occasion of Ukraine’s National Day, we reaffirm our commitment to support its independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, as well as the efforts of our allies in achieving a just and sustainable peace. Through sanctions and by welcoming Ukrainian citizens to Kosovo, we have stood with Ukraine and its brave people against Russia’s aggression, and we continue to stand united against war and in support of peace in this country,” Kurti wrote on the platform X.

ECAP orders CEC to certify Serbian List for October 12 elections (media)

The Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has ruled in favor of the political entity Serbian List, approving its complaint against the Central Election Commission (CEC) decision not to certify its list of candidates for the October 12, 2025 local elections.

With this decision, ECAP has annulled the CEC’s August 21 ruling, in which the CEC had rejected the certification of Serbian List candidates, arguing that some of them did not meet the legal criteria to participate in the electoral race. According to ECAP’s reasoning, the CEC’s decision was not properly grounded in law and failed to convincingly demonstrate that the candidates in question were in violation of Article 29 of the Law on General Elections, which sets the eligibility criteria for being elected. ECAP has instructed the CEC to certify the list of Serbian List candidates for the municipalities where it has applied to participate in the local elections.

CEC receives ECAP decision to certify the Serbian List (media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has confirmed its acceptance of the decision made by the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP), which obligates the institution to certify the Serbian List for the elections scheduled for October 12.  “I can confirm that the Central Election Commission has received the decision of the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel regarding the complaint submitted to the institution. The parties have the right to appeal this ECAP decision to the Supreme Court within 48 hours. The CEC will wait until the decision becomes final,” CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi said.

Haxhiu: ECAP's decision to certify Serbian List scandalous (media)

Caretaker Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, has called the decision of the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) scandalous, after it approved the complaint of the Serbian List against the CEC's decision not to certify its list of candidates for the October 12, 2025 local elections. "It’s a scandalous decision. I didn’t manage to read it in full, but from what I saw, ECAP has ordered the CEC to certify the Serbian List. For me, this is a highly damaging decision. The urgency of ECAP, despite having 72 hours, suggests there was pressure on this institution," she said.

“The possibility must be considered to refer this decision to the Supreme Court,” Haxhiu continued in a statement to the media in the lobby of the Kosovo Assembly.

Mayor of Zvecan announces decision to remove mural of Mladic (media)

The Mayor of Zvecan, Ilir Peci, has announced that he has made the decision to remove murals and images of war criminal Ratko Mladic. “Today, as Mayor of Zvecan, I made an important decision to remove the photograph of Ratko Mladic, a figure known for his involvement in war crimes, which was placed on the walls of our city. This is a concrete step to eliminate all symbols of violence and hatred from public spaces and to ensure that our city remains a place of peace and harmony for all residents, regardless of national or ethnic background. This decision is a clear and strong message: glorifying war crimes and inciting hatred has no place in our city,” Peci wrote in a Facebook post.

Protest in North Mitrovica in support of Serbian government (RTK)

Hundreds of Serb citizens protested in the center of North Mitrovica in support of Serbia’s state institutions, in contrast to the ongoing anti-government demonstrations that have been taking place for nine months in various cities across Serbia. Protesters held placards and a large banner reading: “Mitrovica wants a stable and strong Serbia,” emphasizing their call for unity and their opposition to blockades organized by members of the opposition and student groups in Serbia.

According to local Serbian media, representatives and leaders of the Serbian List, the main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, were present at the gathering. Among those seen at the protest were the head of the Serbian List, Zlatan Elek, deputy leader Igor Simic, and mayoral candidates for northern municipalities, including Milan Radojevic, Dragisa Milovic, and Milos Perovic.

Units of the Kosovo Police were also present to ensure public order and safety during the gathering. Similar events were held in several Serbian cities on Saturday. Protesters in those cities claimed to represent ordinary citizens who oppose the actions of the opposition, which they described as destabilizing. However, no marches or rallies were reported in some of Serbia’s larger cities.

Suspect for attack on KFOR and police officers arrested (media)

The Special Prosecution Office has announced the arrest of a person suspected of attacking members of KFOR and the Kosovo Police. “On suspicion of assaulting members of KFOR and the Kosovo Police, the Special Prosecution has detained for 48 hours an individual with the initials L. M. After several months of investigation, police investigators arrested the suspect in the municipality of Zvecan,” the prosecution’s statement reads.

L. M. is suspected of multiple criminal offenses, including: Conspiracy for unconstitutional activity; Endangering persons under international protection; Participation in a crowd committing a criminal offense and hooliganism; Assault on an official person.

“With authorization from the prosecutor, searches were also conducted at the suspect’s home, where material evidence confirming the suspect’s criminal actions was found. Within the legally prescribed deadline, a request for pre-trial detention will be submitted to the Basic Court in Pristina,” the statement continued.

Serbian Language Media

Election Complaints and Appeals Panel: CEC decision on Serbian List unlawful, appeal upheld (media)

The Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has ruled in favor of the Serbian List, upholding its appeal against Central Election Commission (CEC) decision not to certify their mayoral and municipal councilor candidates for the October 12, 2025 local elections.

With this ruling, ECAP annulled the CEC’s August 21 decision rejecting the certification of the Serbian List candidates. According to the reasoning, the CEC’s decision was not properly grounded in law and did not convincingly demonstrate that the candidates in question violated Article 29 of the Law on General Elections, which sets the eligibility criteria for candidates.

ECAP instructed the CEC to certify the Serbian List’s candidates for the municipalities where it had registered to participate in the local elections.

Murals dedicated to Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije and other graffiti painted over in North Mitrovica and Zvecan (Kosovo Online, media)

During the night between Saturday and Sunday, several unidentified individuals, assisted by members of the Kosovo police, painted over murals and graffiti in North Mitrovica that were connected with Serbian national symbols and historical figures. Among them, the mural dedicated to the Serbian Orthodox Church late dignitaries Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije was painted over.

In addition, members of the Kosovo police broke open the gate of the Technical School in North Mitrovica, where some graffiti were also painted over. A graffiti that had become one of the symbols of the town on the Ibar River, which read “There Is No Going Back From Here”, located at the beginning of the promenade in Mitrovica North was also painted over. 

At the same time, with the assistance of the Kosovo police, graffiti in Zvecan were painted over as well. Kosovo police later said they provided assistance to the company hired by municipalities to remove murals and graffiti.

As KoSSev portal reported in addition to graffiti and murals mentioned above, inscriptions “Northern Brigade”, “When Army Returns to Kosovo”, Ratko Mladic’s mural and the messages dedicated to Marko Rosic have also been removed. 

Raska-Prizren Diocese: Stop activities threatening peace and coexistence (Kosovo Online, media)

The Raska–Prizren Diocese reacted to the removal of murals in North Mitrovica, stressing that this act further destabilizes the security situation and interethnic relations, especially in northern Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reported.

The Diocese emphasized that such provocative and unilateral actions not only fail to contribute to dialogue and peaceful coexistence but also make it more difficult to find ways for all people to live together in peace.

Reacting to the removal of a mural dedicated to the Serbian Orthodox Church late dignitaries Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amiflohije the Diocese underlined that the two of them “were among the most highly respected hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in recent history, who left a deep mark in the memory of our people, especially in Kosovo and Metohija, where they regularly came to provide their help and support in the most difficult times. Moreover, both of them on many occasions called for peace and coexistence, repeating that there is enough room in these areas for the joint life of all people of goodwill”.

The Diocese appealed to “local Kosovo institutions, particularly in the north, to refrain from provocative activities that further endanger the peace and security of people and instead dedicate themselves to building trust rather than causing division on national and religious grounds”.

“The Diocese also expects international representatives to raise their voice in connection with this and other provocative incidents, with a clear message that destabilizing peace and stability, while increasing pressure on Kosovo Serbs with the aim of provoking ethnic conflicts and divisions, is not in the interest of all those who seek to preserve peace and respect fundamental democratic values”, it emphasized. It also called for the matters in the Serbian majority areas to be dealt with in full consultations with the majority community. 

Reactions to removal of murals in Mitrovica North and Zvecan (media)

Serbian List Presidency member and former Mitrovica North mayor Milan Radojevic said yesterday the removal of several murals in North Mitrovica and Zvecan, carried out by “illegitimate and illegal” Mitrovica North mayor, Erden Atiq is yet another indication of the true aim of Self-Determination Movement and Albin Kurti, Serbian media reported.

“The latest actions of the illegitimate and illegal mayor of Mitrovica North (Erden Atiq) reveal the true aim of the Self-Determination Movement and Albin Kurti - namely, to destroy everything Serbian in Kosovo and Metohija, and erase the memory of Serbs of our heroic fighters and our saints. The most recent moves by Mitrovica North municipality and its illegitimate mayor, who, accompanied by dozens of police officers, painted over murals dedicated to our saints and our glorious fighters for Serbian freedom in these areas, are yet another demonstration of Kurti’s policy towards Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija”, Radojevic said. He emphasized provocations will continue until the local elections and called on fellow residents to remain calm.

Serbian List Vice President Igor Simic in reference to murals removal said Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti is continuing his anti-Serb policy, noting that in the early morning hours unidentified individuals, accompanied by members of Kosovo police, desecrated murals dedicated to Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije in North Mitrovica.

Simic added that graffiti “There Is No Going Back From Here” was also painted over. “That graffiti was something North Mitrovica was recognized for. Members of Kosovo police also broke into the yard of the Technical School and painted over the walls there. The torture and pressure on Serbs and the Serbian List continues”, Simic said.

Another Serbian List official, Ivan Zaporozac vowed to restore “everything as it was before”. “It won’t take long, local elections are approaching. We will restore everything as it was before. At the end, I can tell Kurti and all others reckoning with murals last night there is no going back from here”, Zaporozac said, referencing the mural inscription Mitrovica North was known for.  

Leader of Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic in his reaction to the removal of mural dedicated to Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije said that “this desecration, carried out in presence and protection from (Kosovo) police is yet another indicator of systematic removal of Serbian identity in Kosovo”. “They struck Orthodoxy again. Will they set on fire our churches and monasteries again? This morning on the Metohija building in the center of Mitrovica North a mural was painted over – the symbol and place where all visitors were taking photos”, he added in reference to “There is No Going Back from Here” mural removal. 

Leader of the Serbian opposition Go-Change Movement Savo Manojlovic, in reference to the removal of the “There is No Going Back from Here” mural that “this is a message of (Albin) Kurti on continuation of expulsion “There is Going Back’’’’. He also said this is an indicator of Serbian ruling SNS policy on Kosovo failure based on “holy trinity – corruption, bravery when speaking to the media and concessions”.

Manojlovic said in a post on X social platform that this graffiti marked the struggle of Serbs to survive and was created in memory of events from 1999 when Mitrovica residents, largely with the merit of the late Oliver Ivanovic, organized themselves and stopped the expulsion of Serbs from the north.

“With nocturnal painting over (Albin) Kurti sends the clear message that he will continue the policy of expulsion and violence. This is the message “There is Going Back”, Manojlovic noted. 

Serbian List: Arrest of Lj. M., from Zvecan yet another in a series of politically motivated persecutions (media)

The arrest of Serb Lj. M., from Zvecan under the pretext of his alleged involvement in the attack on KFOR represents yet another in a series of politically motivated persecutions directed solely against the Serbian people in Kosovo, Serbian List said in its reaction on Sunday, media reported.

“With unfounded arrests, coercion to sign plea agreements, and groundless punishments of our compatriots, Albin Kurti’s regime continues implementing its plan to create an ethnically pure Kosovo. The Serbian List warns that this is the continuation of organized pressure on the Serbian people, at a moment when every pretext is being sought to declare Serbs guilty and to justify Kurti’s police occupation and repression. We call on the international community - above all the representatives of KFOR, the EU, and UNMIK - to closely monitor all court proceedings against Serbs, in order to prevent unlawful and politically motivated decisions that directly threaten the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija”, the Serbian List said in a statement.

The Kosovo Special Prosecution said earlier Lj. M. was arrested on suspicion of attacking members of KFOR and Kosovo police. He is suspected of allegedly committing criminal offenses of “conspiracy to carry out unconstitutional activities, endangering persons under international protection, participation in a mob committing a criminal offense and hooliganism, as well as assault on an official”.

Media: Self-determination Movement Novo Brdo municipal councilor candidate arrested over cannabis plantations

Kosovo police discovered four cannabis plantations in the village of Zegovac, near Gnjilane and arrested three persons. Serbian media, citing Pristina-based Nacionale, reported that one of the arrested persons is a Self-determination Movement candidate for municipal assembly in Novo Brdo, R.Z. (full name carried in media reports). By the decision of the prosecutor the three persons were sent to 48-hour detention.

The discovered plantations contained almost 500 cannabis plants, some of them as high as two meters, in advance stage of procession. During the action, police also confiscated an automatic rifle AK-47, 19 bullets, five phones and a Golf V vehicle. The plants had been destroyed on the spot, the media reports added. 

KFOR completes temporary deployment of reserves (N1)

KFOR said on Friday it completed the temporary deployment of additional reserves to Kosovo, N1 reported. “The arrival of approximately 70 military vehicles and support personnel at Camp Bondsteel today marked the completion of the temporary deployment of additional reserve forces in Kosovo, in support of the NATO-led KFOR mission for training purposes. The UK contingent, composed of more than 350 troops belonging to the Scots Guards, will carry out training activities together with KFOR personnel”, a press release said.

It added that the deployment is a regular activity intended to enhance KFOR’s operational readiness and ability to respond effectively to relevant security developments.

Vucevic: End of 2026 a realistic and responsible date for next parliamentary elections (N1, media)

Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Milos Vucevic said that "the end of 2026 remains a realistic and responsible date for the next parliamentary elections", stressing this has been his position from before, N1 reported.

"This is a reasonable and feasible timeframe that allows for political stability, peace and the implementation of significant reforms. We must be careful not to fall into the trap of reacting to pressure from those who want to exploit the situation for a violent takeover of power", Vucevic said in an interview with the Kurir newspaper. "The consistently high support for (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is clear evidence of the people's trust in our policies and vision for the future", Vucevic said.

He also stressed that "in the coming weeks, the state will preserve peace, the people and the country". He also said the party of which he is president is "united, more determined than ever".

Peaceful protests across Serbia, no police intervention (N1, media)

Friday evening’s protests in a number of places across Serbia were peaceful with no police intervention, N1 reported. In Belgrade, the protesters marched past a riot police cordon in front of Serbian public broadcaster RTS headquarters. The march ended in Student Square with the protesters observing 16 Minutes of Silence in memory of the victims of the Novi Sad Railway Station tragedy.

In Nis, the protesters marched to that southern Serbian city’s oldest high school, the Stevan Sremac Grammar School, in a show of solidarity with the school’s headmistress who was dismissed for supporting the student protests. An N1 reporter said the gates were chained, preventing entry into the courtyard.

In the central Serbia city of Kragujevac, protesters gathered in the central Pupil’s Square and marched to the offices of the local Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) branch where a cordon of police was deployed. They also marched past the home of a local man who is in detention for an alleged assault on a trooper from the Cobras military police detachment in Novi Sad.

OSCE’s Braathu calls Belgrade to investigate attacks on journalists (N1)

OSCE Representative for Freedom of the Media Jan Braathu appealed to the Serbian authorities to investigate all reports of attacks on journalists, N1 reported.

“In keeping with OSCE commitments accepted and agreed by the Republic of Serbia, I appeal to the authorities to impartially and expeditiously investigate all reported cases and to ensure that journalists can work safely”, Braathu wrote in an X post.

The post included his statement which recalled his expressions of concern about an escalation of threats, violence and harassment against journalists and media outlets in Serbia. “Unfortunately, this trend continues unabated, placing Serbia's media environment under severe pressure”, he added.

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