If the draft law with the provision stipulating that displaced Serbs, who don’t possess Kosovo documents, will not be able to vote in Kosovo elections, is adopted, ‘Srpska’ will reconsider the decision on participation in the elections.
Serbian MPs who are not satisfied with the draft law on elections are boycotting the work of the Kosovo Parliament as of Thursday. The disputable draft law stipulates that Serbs from Mitrovica North and displaced persons have to possess Kosovo identification documents, which is in violation with the Kosovo Constitution and UNSC resolution 1244.
The leader of the Independent Liberal Party (SLS) and Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Slobodan Petrovic, told Beta that the issue of the draft Law on General Elections in Kosovo is above the policy of any single party. He said that the Serbian community should be represented in Kosovo’s institutions as much as possible and called all political parties to support requests coming from minority communities. “By doing so, we would confirm everything we achieved together over the last few years. This is also in line with the Brussels agreement, which is recognised by the entire world,” said Petrovic.
Sasa Djokic, leader of the Social-Democratic party, told Politika that his party will not risk participating in the work of the parliament where only ten seats are guaranteed for Serbs. He added that Serbs submitted amendments to the draft law, however they are not aware whether their amendments were adopted or not. Djokic stressed that it should be in the interest of Pristina that more Serbs turn out for the elections, particularly in northern Kosovo, and requested that such a serious issue is discussed in Brussels on Monday, while the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina continues. He proposes that this elections cycle should be carried out in line with the old election law, which stipulates 10 guaranteed seats plus reserved seats, and that displaced persons could vote in their place of residence under OSCE facilitation, since Serbs would most probably boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Rada Trajkovic, from the United Serbian List, also stated that the new draft law discriminates Serbs, and that the issue should be discussed by Belgrade and Pristina representatives.
Vladeta Kostic, leader of the Civil Initiative ‘Srpska’, told Politika that if such a draft law is adopted, which prevents displaced and Serbs in Kosovo from voting, ‘Srpska will seriously reconsider the decision on participation in the upcoming elections.
The municipal leadership and officials ceased working for 15 minutes on Friday to protest those who could lose their right to vote if the draft law is adopted.
