Albanian Language Media: 

• Basha receives Constitutional Court’s decision on temporary measure (media)
• Kurti: Constitutional Court is acting as political shadow of opposition (media)
• Albin Kurti proposed for Prime Minister by Vetevendosje Movement (media)
• Osmani’s message on 26th anniversary of Kosovo Police (media)
• Barbano joins celebration of Kosovo Police 26th anniversary (media)
• Deliu: Kurti is responsible for the blockade (media)
• KFOR German soldiers trained in tracking and neutralizing drones (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: It is clear some are forming military alliances against Serbia, EU and NATO’s silence is concerning (Kosovo Online, TV Pink, Tanjug, RTS)
• Serbian MFA: Bilateral military agreements in the region contribute to rising tensions and deepening divisions (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, Blic, NMagazin)
• Petkovic: Kurti admitted that he supports the blockaders (KiM radio)
• SL: CEC trying to reduce our number of polling station committee chairs in North Mitrovica and Gracanica (KiM radio, Kosovo Online)
• Candidates for mayors in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• T-Shirt with Serbian epic inscription leads to fine in Leposavic (KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

International:

• Pride march in Serbia condemns police violence at antigovernment rallies (Al Jazeera)
• Violence erupts after police move on Serbia protest (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Basha receives Constitutional Court’s decision on temporary measure (media)

The Assembly of Kosovo has announced that the Speaker, Dimal Basha, has received the Constitutional Court’s decision to impose a temporary measure. “The Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Dimal Basha, today received the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the imposition of a temporary measure, in case no. KO265/25.

Speaker Basha has authorized the administration to distribute it to all MPs of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,” reads the media statement issued by the Directorate for Media and Public Relations of the Assembly of Kosovo.

See the Constitutional Court decision here: https://tinyurl.com/4cmff2jh

Kurti: Constitutional Court is acting as political shadow of opposition (media)

The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement (VV), Albin Kurti, has accused Kosovo’s Constitutional Court of acting as a political shadow of the opposition, against Vetevendosje, following its decision to impose a temporary measure at the request of the Serbian List. This measure halted parliamentary proceedings after the election of the Assembly Speaker and four deputy speakers. Kurti criticized the Court for contributing to delays in the institutional process, claiming that three out of four and a half months of stagnation were due to the Court's inaction. He alleged that the majority of judges were appointed during the PAN-Serbian List coalition in 2018, implying political bias.

He further stated that this is not the first time the Court has obstructed his government’s reforms, citing eight reform initiatives declared unconstitutional.

Kurti also warned about disinformation, urging people to critically assess the sources of news and implying that parts of the media fail to inform responsibly.

Addressing Serbia, Kurti said that the true face of President Aleksandar Vucic has been revealed over the years. He rejected accusations from Vucic that Kosovo was behind recent protests in Serbia, calling them typical of authoritarian leaders who have lost touch with their people.

Kurti emphasized the contrast between Kosovo and Serbia, noting Kosovo’s orientation toward the EU and NATO, while accusing Serbia of aligning with Russia and denying war crimes.

Albin Kurti proposed for Prime Minister by Vetevendosje Movement (media)

The Deputy leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Glauk Konjufca, proposed on Sunday the party leader, Albin Kurti, as Prime Minister of Kosovo during a meeting of the General Council of Vetevendosje.

Konjufca emphasized that the people have already delivered their verdict through the elections, and now the Constitutional Court faces a major decision. He criticized attempts by opposition parties to undermine the election outcome, calling it the “most dangerous effort yet” to delegitimize the will of the voters.

He accused the opposition of delaying institutional formation, first by rejecting Albulena Haxhiu as Speaker of the Assembly, and now by insisting that a Serb deputy speaker from the Serbian List is a prerequisite for constitutional legitimacy.

Konjufca argued that the Constitutional Court’s role has become political, warning that Kosovo now faces three paths: Proceeding with institutional formation; Returning to new elections; Facing a state crisis, which he called a scenario of state betrayal, where the Serbian List and Belgrade are given veto power over Kosovo’s democracy.

“The Republic of Kosovo cannot be held hostage by the Serbian List. We have the Assembly, and we will have the government,” stated Konjufca.

Osmani’s message on 26th anniversary of Kosovo Police (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a statement that for 26 years, the Kosovo Police has embodied professionalism, commitment, and integrity. “From its earliest days to the present, it has been a trusted guardian of public safety and a cornerstone of our democratic institutions. We extend our gratitude to the women and men in uniform who serve with dedication every day, strengthening the rule of law and protecting the rights of all our citizens. On this 26th anniversary, we honor their contribution to building a safer, freer, and more democratic Kosovo. Congratulations on 26 years of proud service,” Osmani said in a post on X.

Barbano joins celebration of Kosovo Police 26th anniversary (media)

Head of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Giovanni Pietro Barbano, said in a post on X that he was proud to join the celebration of Kosovo Police 26th anniversary. “Congratulations to all dedicated officers who serve to ensure the safety of all communities upholding human rights.  EULEX remains committed to supporting KP in meeting international human rights standards,” Barbano said.

Deliu: Kurti is responsible for the blockade (media)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Blerta Deliu-Kodra reacted to a statement by caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti Albin Kurti who said that the Constitutional Court is acting like a political shadow of the opposition. Deliu argued that the responsibility for the blockade has one name and that is Albin Kurti. “Albin Kurti, as always when he is faced with challenges or failures, tries to find others to blame. Now he is accusing the Constitutional Court and opposition parties for delays in the constitution of the Assembly, while ignoring the consequent constitutional violations that he and his party have made. The truth about the blockade of the Assembly and the institutions is clear: responsibility has one name: Albin Kurti. The rest is pure propaganda,” Deliu said in a Facebook post.

KFOR German soldiers trained in tracking and neutralizing drones (media)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that German soldiers from Regional Command-East recently conducted a dedicated training aimed at enhancing their ability to detect, track, and neutralize drones—an increasingly critical capability in today’s security scenario. ”In particular, the exercise focused on the WINGMAN system to identify drones and trace their operators, and on the HP-47 to intercept and disable the UAVs. Such drills enhance individual technical proficiency, highlighting the importance of coordination, teamwork, and adaptability in countering emerging aerial threats. This unique expertise broadens the scope of KFOR mission, enhancing its capability to address the increasing security challenges,” the post notes.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: It is clear some are forming military alliances against Serbia, EU and NATO’s silence is concerning (Kosovo Online, TV Pink, Tanjug, RTS)

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, commenting on the declaration of military cooperation between Slovenia and Croatia, and the earlier agreement signed by Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb, stressed that it is clear some are creating military alliances against Serbia. He expressed concern over the silence of the EU and NATO, noting that he will try to discuss the issue with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He underlined that the Serbian Army was ready to defend the country if attacked, while emphasizing that Serbia has no intention of attacking anyone.

“This is not an easy matter for us. We have very negative experiences from the 1990s, when the same groups united against the Serbs and Serbia. Unfortunately, they were more successful and stronger—not because of their great strength or wisdom, but because of stronger external support. They were more cunning, and in the end, they prevailed, because for them victory meant expelling Serbs from their centuries-old homes in Krajina, Kosovo and Metohija, and much of Bosnia and Herzegovina—though in some places it was the other way around, with expulsions of the Bosniak population. But when you look at everything, someone is preparing something,” Vucic told TV Pink, cited Kosovo Online. 

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3w3t22hv

Serbian MFA: Bilateral military agreements in the region contribute to rising tensions and deepening divisions (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, Blic, NMagazin)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia stated yesterday that it was following with concern the statements and announcements of certain officials in the region regarding the signing and expansion of bilateral agreements on military cooperation between neighboring states.

“Serbia recalls that the entire Balkans remain a sensitive post-conflict area, where the preservation of peace and stability is of essential importance, both for the countries of the region and for Europe as a whole. For this reason, every insufficiently transparent move that can be interpreted as the creation of military blocs or alliances directed against third parties contributes to rising tensions and deepening divisions, instead of building trust and improving cooperation,” the statement said.

The Ministry particularly emphasized that the lack of transparency and the absence of the usual consultations regarding such agreements create room for suspicion and foster an atmosphere of mistrust, which, it noted, runs contrary to European values of dialogue, predictability, and mutual respect.

“We also recall that some of the states entering into these arrangements are already NATO members, and their security is fully guaranteed by existing collective mechanisms. Therefore, the question arises about the real motives and objectives of these bilateral agreements, which lack clear military justification but carry strong political symbolism and send negative messages in the region. We also fail to understand the reasons for excluding certain states from such forms of cooperation,” the MFA pointed out.

The statement further added that the Republic of Serbia believed “the right path to strengthening trust and cooperation in the region lies in investing in mechanisms of joint training, civil protection, and coordinated responses to emergencies such as floods, fires, and earthquakes. It stressed that this would bring concrete and lasting benefits to the citizens of all countries”.

“The Republic of Serbia remains firmly committed to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and expects all partners to act responsibly in that spirit, with due regard for the legitimate interests of all sides,” the statement concluded.

Petkovic: Kurti admitted that he supports the blockaders (KiM radio)

''By attacking President Aleksandar Vucic, Kurti once again admitted a great truth - that he strongly supports blockaders throughout Serbia so that those who would stop our country, renounce Kosovo and Metohija and our people who live there would come to power,'' announced yesterday the Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic.

The statement added that this was why the blockaders are organizing protests against Vucic, and not against Kurti, because while Vucic was fighting for "Kosovo and Metohija, their mentor from Pristina is directing an attack on the president of Serbia, but also the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija".

According to Petkovic ''this was the reason why the blockaders were protesting in front of the Serbian Government and Serbian institutions in Belgrade, and not against Kurti in Pristina, who is responsible for terror against our people".

"In the heart of Europe, the people who are most persecuted and oppressed are the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, and all this by the order of the dictator Albin Kurti and because of which the Serbs are leaving Kosovo and Metohija. He is the one who arrests people with Serbian emblems and inscriptions, closes Serbian institutions and persecutes Serbs on religious, national and cultural grounds. That is why Kurti, as the mastermind of the blockade, openly supports the protests in Belgrade and the colored revolution from the beginning, but just as the colored revolution experienced a breakdown, so his dreams of so-called independent Kosovo live only in his head," Petkovic concluded.

SL: CEC trying to reduce our number of polling station committee chairs in North Mitrovica and Gracanica (KiM radio, Kosovo Online)

The Serbian List (SL) stated on Saturday that it learned the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Pristina  attempted, by force and in violation of the law and electoral rules, to reduce the number of polling station committee chairs delegated by the SL, particularly in the municipalities of North Mitrovica and Gracanica, for the upcoming local elections.

“To make matters worse, the CEC member representing the Serbian List did not receive the complete materials for this session, which is obligatory, and the intention—now revealed—was deliberately concealed,” the statement read.

They added that this was a repeat of the situation from the parliamentary elections, when an unlawful decision was made that reduced their number of committee members in nearly all municipalities:

“At that time, the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel ruled in our favor, but the CEC ignored that decision,” the statement noted.

The SL called on CEC members to respect the law and electoral rules, and urged international representatives to react immediately to put an end to what they described as lawlessness to the detriment of the Serbian people and their party.

Candidates for mayors in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)

The CEC published the list of candidates for mayors for the upcoming local elections in Kosovo, reported Radio Mitrovica sever on Saturday. 

Candidates for mayors for the municipality of North Mitrovica:

CI North for All - Marko Jaksic; Mitrovica Civic Initiative - Betim Osmani; Katarina Adjancic; Self-determination - Erden Atic; The new face People's Justice – Nebojsa Milic; Democratic Party of Kosovo - Flutura Hamza Azemi; Serbian Democracy - Aleksandar Arsenijevic; Serbian List - Milan Radojevic; Serbian People's Movement - Branko Veselinovic; For freedom, justice and survival - Nenad Vukmirovic.

Candidates for mayor of Zvecan municipality:

Self-determination - Fetah Peci; Democratic Party of Kosovo - Ilir Peci; Serbian Democracy - Zoran Obrenovic; Serbian List - Dragisa Milovic; Unification - Sladjana Pantovic

Candidates for mayor of the Leposavic municipality:

CI Roots - Ivan Vuckovic - Ivan Vuckovic; Self-determination – Lulzim Hatemi; New face - People's Justice - Nenad Radosavljevic; Democratic Party of Kosovo - Shaqir Hetemi; Serbian Democracy - Vladimir Radosavljevic; Serbian List - Zoran Todic; For freedom, justice and survival - Vesna Pantovic

Candidates for mayor of the municipality of Zubin Potok:

Kosovo Alliance - Stevan Vulovic; Self-determination – Vedat Mehmeti; Democratic Alliance of Kosovo - Ariana Hasani; New face - People's Justice - Grozdan Bisevac; Democratic Party of Kosovo - Izmir Zeqiri; Serbian Democracy - Mirjana Vlaskovic; Serbian List - Milos Perovic; Serbian People's Movement - Milija Bisevac; For freedom, justice and survival - Gordana Mihajlovic.

T-Shirt with Serbian epic inscription leads to fine in Leposavic (KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

Kosovo Police detained last night a young man from Leposavic, Lazar Milosavljević, because of a T-shirt bearing the image of Prince Lazar on a map of Kosovo, accompanied by verses from a Serbian church hymn: “On three holy and three integral, we go to Kosovo plain.”

According to Milosavljević, the officers entered his apartment without a warrant, seized the shirt, and issued him a fine. Kosovo Police confirmed to KoSSev that a fine was imposed and denied that the apartment was searched.

Milosavljević told the Srpska Demokratija party, which also published a video of the incident, that around 10 p.m. he was stopped by four plainclothes policemen as he was returning from taking out the trash.

“At first I didn’t react when they called me to stop, thinking it was some kind of prank. Then one officer, an Albanian, jumped in front of me and asked what was on my shirt. The text was in Cyrillic. I told him – you can read it yourself. He managed to read it, then patrol cars with flashing lights arrived,” he said.

He claims he was not allowed to take his ID documents with him when he was brought to the police station. Later, officers accompanied him back to his home to collect them.

“They didn’t have a warrant, but they entered, looked around, noticed the Serbian flag, and asked me whose it was. They didn’t search, just looked. When they found nothing, they brought me back to the station, where I spent about an hour,” Milosavljević recounted.

According to him, police said that wearing the shirt amounted to a violation of public order and peace. The shirt was confiscated, and a monetary fine imposed.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2p9pt4tf

International

Pride march in Serbia condemns police violence at antigovernment rallies (Al Jazeera)

The LGBTQ event in Belgrade comes the day after police arrested 42 demonstrators in the city of Novi Sad.

A Pride march in central Belgrade has decried police brutality against antigovernment demonstrators in Serbia, following 10 months of sustained protests against right-wing populist President Aleksandar Vucic.

The event, which passed without incident on Saturday, also offered support to the university students who are leading nationwide calls for snap elections, a demand Vucic continues to brush off.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mr3ftvm5

Violence erupts after police move on Serbia protest (Balkan Insight)

Police made multiple arrests at a student-led demonstration in Novi Sad on Friday night, which descended into violence following a police intervention.

Forty-two people were arrested at the protest in Novi Sad, Serbia’s Minister of Interior, Ivica Dacic, told Radio Television of Serbia RTS on Saturday.

According to him, 13 policemen were injured. There is no official information on how many citizens or students were hurt.

Clashes began after police started to push people away from the Faculty of Philosophy.

Local media reports and videos on social media show anti-riot police beating people who were not resisting and making extensive use of tear gas or pepper spray.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yc436426