• Thaci calls for massive turnout in elections (Zeri)
• Delawie: Elections in Kosovo to be free and credible (Zeri)
• PDK accused of illegally collecting voter data (Koha Ditore)
• 150,000 youths to vote for the first time on Sunday (Zeri)
• Kosovo authorities ban Vulin entry (Koha)
• 100 buses with Serb voters to arrive in Kosovo for elections (Zeri)
• Switzerland extends mandate of its peacekeeping troops in Kosovo (Bota Sot) 

Kosovo Media Highlights 

Thaci calls for massive turnout in elections (Zeri)

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, called on the people of Kosovo to massively take part in Sunday’s elections and vote for strengthening of democracy and the state of Kosovo. He said Kosovo was entering a new stage of development and the contribution of citizens in consolidating internal and external democracy is pivotal. Thaci made the comments yesterday at the opening of a new family healthcare centre in Skenderaj/Srbica.

Delawie: Elections in Kosovo to be free and credible (Zeri)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said his country wants to see free elections in Kosovo where candidates are not intimidated. He said the relevant authorities need to investigate all attempts at election interference. “We have seen more than needed incidents of violence and intimidation,” Delawie said. He said participation in elections is crucial and called on citizens to vote in order to strengthen the future government of Kosovo.

PDK accused of illegally collecting voter data (Koha Ditore)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is being accused of illegally collecting voter data during its election rallies, the paper reports on the front page. PDK is said to be asking citizens for their personal information and signing an oath pledging to vote for the party on Sunday’s elections and this, according to election observers, is an illegal practice and a form of intimidation. Lirak Celaj from PDK admitted that they were gathering information of voters in their rallies but said this was not done as a means of pressure to vote for the party.

150,000 youths to vote for the first time on Sunday (Zeri)

Over 150,000 youths are expected to vote for the first time this Sunday, the paper reports. Political analyst Ramush Tahiri said this figure will be decisive as to who will win the mandate to govern Kosovo in the next four years. Tahiri said the young voters are unlikely to be disposed to vote based on their origin or family circle but rather on what the parties are offering. At the same time, analyst Imer Mushkolaj said it was natural for the young people to vote for a change.

Kosovo authorities ban Vulin entry (Koha)

Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry has again banned Serbian Minister, Aleksandar Vulin, from entering Kosovo. The reason for the ban according to Koha is Vulin’s statements in his previous visits which are deemed as provocations.

100 buses with Serb voters to arrive in Kosovo for elections (Zeri)

The government of Serbia is expected to send around 100 buses with displaced Kosovo Serbs to vote for general elections on Sunday, the paper reports quoting the news website Politiko.net.  The website reports that the government of Serbia has mobilized all capacities to ensure that the Serbian List wins all possible seats in the Kosovo Assembly as the only way to keep the Kosovo Serbs under Belgrade’s control.

Switzerland extends mandate of its peacekeeping troops in Kosovo (Bota Sot)

Switzerland’s House of Representatives has approved extending the mandate of the country’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo until 2020, the paper reports quoting the Swiss daily paper, Blick.  The majority of Swiss parliamentarians considered the situation in Kosovo still to be fragile and that there are no conditions in place for full withdrawal of the troops. However, the Swiss peacekeeping troops will be reduced from the current 235 members to 165 by 2019.