Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and Minister of the Local Self Government Administration Slobodan Petrović told RTK2 that election reforms, which are not taking into account requests of Serbs and other communities, are worrying and not contributing to further integration. Petrović assessed that the role of the internationals is crucial at the moment.
Petrović said that continuing the reserved seats and the voting of displaced persons should be provided, and added that the agreement was reached with Albanian parties for reserved seats to continue following this mandate, which is not longer being honored. “Members of Quint also participated in those talks,” said Petrovic. He went on to say that it is a good opportunity for international partners now to react and remind our colleagues in the parliament on the promises they gave, since it is about the issues of public importance and general interest.
Petrović assessed that first reading of the election law, despite the boycott of Serbian and other non-majority MPs, is something that should raise concerns since election reforms are the key for their integration and protection. “Minorities’ requests are interest the entire Kosovo society,” said Petrovic, and voiced his expectation that the way will be found to ‘mitigate’ the draft law.
According to Petrović it is unacceptable that the following numerous appeals to Serbs for integration and discouraging messages are sent now, which could lead to consequences.
“There is a fear that if those people are not made part of the system in a legal manner, then someone is pushing them to become parallel again,” said Petrović.
Petrović reflected on the Community of Serbian Municipalities (CSM) and said that it is needed as it will provide better work for municipalities and a better life of citizens, while he discourages any other opinion about the CSM. He assessed that CSM is the interest of the Serbian community and for all who live in those municipalities.
