General elections, a barometer of state maturity (RTKlive)
Based on the up to date campaign, the general elections to be held on 8 June, are the most represented and dynamic in the 15 year history of the free elections in Kosovo, and as such, they will be under a close monitoring of the population and the international community. This will be another test for the Central Election Commission to prove that the success of the local elections was not a coincidence, but a maturity of this institution to manage challenges represented by the elections in Kosovo.
The United States Ambassador at the United Nations, Rosemary DiCarlo stated during the most recent session on Kosovo that “municipal elections of 2013 proved Kosovo’s capacity to fulfill international election standards and it would have been important for the same to happen at national elections.” “An open and fair political process will help Kosovo to cement its place in Europe,” said DiCarlo.
At the same meeting, the Ambassador of Lithuania, Raimonda Murmokaite, expressed hope for honest and free elections, saying that “Kosovo should continue with the success of municipal elections of the last year,” which were “a major step forward compare to those of 2010 which were characterized with irregularities and affected trust on democratic processes in Kosovo.”
The British Ambassador, Michael Tatham hailed the progress of local elections in Mitrovica and stressed that both parties, Kosovo and Serbia (with a constructive position,) should assure maximal participation in Kosovo’s general elections. “Quality of the election process in Kosovo will be very important for the assessment of the maturity of the state,” said Ambassador of Luxembourg, Sylvie Lucas.