UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 7, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti calls on people to attend “biggest electoral rally” in Pristina tonight (media)
AJK: Kurti and VV “continuous campaign against media, reporters” (media)
EU calls for perpetrators of Banjska attack to be brought to justice (media)
Kosovo Police sub-station inaugurated in Lesak near Leposavic (media)
Grenell reacts to Kurti, calls him “delusional” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: New gov't by March 19-20 or snap elections in early May (Tanjug, Tanjug)
Vucic: “Kurti holding loaded gun all the time, problem is that part of Western world turns blind eye to it” (Kosovo Online, media)
Serbian Defence Minister expresses support to Serbian List (Tanjug)
Kurti: “We had historic moment to prevent Serbian List from participating, PDK and LDK prevented that” (KoSSev)
Female activist of Serbian Democracy arrested and released during Kurti’s visit in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
More fines for Serbian political entities: Serbian Democracy fined following Self-Determination complaint, others filed complaints against each other (Alternativna.com)
Radakovic from ACDC shares DiA post on election ink quality (social media)
Lawyer Vasic once again requests house arrest measure for Sladjan Trajkovic (Radio kontakt plus)
Finnish KFOR soldiers conducted water testing at Brnjak Monastery (Kosovo Online, social media)
National Library employees: We stand with students (N1)

Opinion:

Will parliamentary elections bring a new dawn to Kosovo? (Emerging Europe)
Why EU should use Kosovo election to advance its goals in Western Balkans (ECFR)

International Media:

Opposition parties foreign policy plans: Strengthen alliances, special envoys (PI)
Kosovo election campaign marred by personal data violations (BIRN)
Trump’s aid freeze halts help for Kosovo war trauma victims (BIRN)
Frozen USAID funding strands groups that support marginalized people in the Western Balkans (AP)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti calls on people to attend “biggest electoral rally” in Pristina tonight (media)

Most news websites report that in a Facebook video from Ujman/Gazivode Lake in the north of Kosovo, Prime Minister and Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti called on everyone to attend “the biggest electoral rally ever” in Pristina at 19:00 today.

AJK: Kurti and VV “continuous campaign against media, reporters” (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a statement today that “the Vetevendosje Movement, and its leader, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, have stepped up unacceptable attacks against the media and journalists throughout the campaign for the February 9 national elections”.

The AJK said that in an interview with a local TV station, Prime Minister Kurti said “media outlets are part of the Bermuda Triangle that want to sink Kosovo”. “In almost all electoral rallies in different cities, Kurti used denigrating and assaulting language against the media, journalists and commentators in TV debates”.

“The AJK considers that such attacks are an unacceptable pressure against the media to do their work in an important phase such as the election campaign. An inciting discourse by the ruling party makes it increasingly difficult to report. Vetevendosje’s boycotting of three national TV stations also has an impact on transparency and represents dodging accountability toward an important part of the public”.

“The media are obliged by law and to the public in times of elections to present to the viewers/readers the promises and programs of all political parties in an equal manner”.

EU calls for perpetrators of Banjska attack to be brought to justice (media)

EU officials told TeVe1 on Thursday that they expect all the perpetrators of the September 2023 attack in Banjska in the north of Kosovo to be brought to justice as soon as possible. “We take note of the announcement of the High Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade of 2 December 2024, to open an investigation into this case. We expect Serbia, in line with its commitments to the EU, to urgently take all necessary steps to prosecute and bring to justice the suspected perpetrators found in Serbia and to ensure full cooperation in the investigation of these attacks. We expect all perpetrators of the 24 September 2023 attack to be brought to justice as soon as possible,” the EU said.

Kosovo Police sub-station inaugurated in Lesak near Leposavic (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti attended the inauguration of the police sub-station in Leshak near Leposavic. “The police sub-station is now ready and from now on will be a source of security and an address of reporting for every citizen without any difference that lives in this zone. Part of the building is also the Agency for Civil Registration, where citizens of the municipality of Leposavic but also from other nearby municipalities and villages can get their services,” Kurti writes in a Facebook post.

Grenell reacts to Kurti, calls him “delusional” (media)

U.S. presidential envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, reacted to a statement by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti who said on Thursday that relations with the U.S. have never been better. Grenell said in a post on X: “Delusional. Relations have never been lower. Albin Kurti has been condemned by the first Trump Administration, the Biden Administration, NATO, the EU, the U.S. Embassy, Anthony Blinken, etc”.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: New gov't by March 19-20 or snap elections in early May (Tanjug, Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday evening the national parliament was due to take note of the resignation of PM Milos Vucevic and his cabinet within 10 to 12 days. In an interview with the RTS, Vucic said that meant February 17 would mark the start of a 30-day time frame to form a new government or call early elections.

"If a government is formed, it should be formed by March 19 or 20, and if a government is not formed, then that means elections will most likely be held in the beginning of May", Vucic said. Those are the two options under the Constitution, he added.

Asked which scenario he would prefer, Vucic said he believed it was good to try to form a good government as EXPO 2027 was important, and added that Germany, the US, Russia and China had all confirmed they would attend the event. "We need to keep our economy going up", Vucic said.

Vucic: “Kurti holding loaded gun all the time, problem is that part of Western world turns blind eye to it” (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reacting to the statements Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti made at pre-election rally in Podujevo that “high morale and a loaded gun" are needed if one has bad neighbours, said that “Kurti has been holding a loaded gun all the time and would like to shoot at Serbs, and problem is that part of the Western world turns blind eye to it”, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"He has been holding a loaded gun all the time and wants to shoot at Serbs, which he has done. And now more and more of the world understands this, but the problem is that a good part of the Western world turns a blind eye, because he is their darling, and whatever he does, they will coddle him", Vucic told RTS.

Vucic indicated that Kurti might, however, have a serious problem with the new American administration, which, he says, did not belong to either Bill Clinton or George Bush and does not live in the '90s. "And that could be our hope”, he added.

As Vucic said the "new America" is better than it was before, which people notice. That, he opined, gives hope it might be possible to end the war in Ukraine. Asked whether Serbia received a response from US regarding the issue of sanctions on Serbian Oil Industry (NIS), Vucic responded the response from OFAC has not yet arrived, but it has from the US embassy, which said "what Russians wrote, and we supported – will not go through".

Asked when he will talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said it would be soon, but he does not know exactly when. "I can't call Putin until I see what the Americans tell us. We must preserve the country, without spoiling relations with the Russians, and we want the best relations with the USA", Vucic said.

Asked whether Serbia will manage to balance – to maintain good relations and save NIS, he admitted it would be difficult. He added one of the reasons for immense pressure on Serbia is that it is the only country in Europe that has not imposed sanctions on Moscow. "But, that is the only possible and good policy. I will continue to fight for the interests of Serbia and believe that we will succeed in this fight", he said.

Serbian Defence Minister expresses support to Serbian List (Tanjug)

Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic expressed today his full support to the Serbian List in upcoming parliamentary elections in Kosovo, Tanjug news agency reported.

"It is vitally important for our people in Kosovo and Metohija to show unity and gather around the only political force that can represent and defend their interests, and that is the Serbian List. We saw what (Albin) Kurti and his criminal gang did in previous years to expel and intimidate the Serbs living in our southern province. He did everything he could to prevent the Serbian List from going to the elections, knowing that it is our strong core", Gasic said.

Kurti: “We had historic moment to prevent Serbian List from participating, PDK and LDK prevented that” (KoSSev)

“It was a historic moment not to allow the Serbian List to take part in parliamentary elections, but PDK (Democratic Party of Kosovo) and LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo) have prevented that decision”, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti told Istok TV, KoSSev portal reported.

During the broadcast Kurti also spoke about the situation in the north of Kosovo and relations with the US. He rejected the possibility of autonomy for the north, adding there “are nine police stations along the border with Serbia, and that all criminals are either in jail, or killed or run away”. According to him the situation in the north is much calmer than it was before.

He once again termed relations with the US as “never better” despite previously being criticized by US Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell.

Reacting to the new Kurti’s claims on “never better” relations with the US, Grenell in a post on X social platform called it “delusional” along with sharing the article with Kurti’s statements.

“Delusional. Relations have never been lower. Albin Kurti has been condemned by the first Trump Administration, the Biden Administration, NATO, the EU, the U.S. Embassy, Anthony Blinken, etc”, Grenell wrote in a post.

Kurti also touched upon Serbian List and its participation in upcoming elections on Sunday. This was the first time that he directly mentioned the Serbian List, since Self-determination members of the Central Election Commission attempted at least three times to prevent the Serbian List from taking part in elections.

As Kurti said it was “a historic moment” not to licence, respectively certify Serbian List, and blamed opposition for not supporting it. “PDK and LDK did not make a quorum and prevented this decision from being passed”, Kurti claims.

Female activist of Serbian Democracy arrested and released during Kurti’s visit in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)

Female activist of Serbian Democracy, Andjela Dimic was arrested today in Mitrovica North for blowing the whistle during visit of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to the promenade in this city. Soon after she was released and a fine was issued to her. This was confirmed to KoSSev portal by Kosovo police deputy commander for the region North, Veton Elshani.

Dimic was arrested near Albanian-owned Missini café at Mitrovica North promenade as she blew the whistle to express her protest. As Elshani said she was arrested for “obstructing public peace and order”.

Dimic: I do not know where it exists that fine is issued because you are expressing your protest

Upon release from the police station in Mitrovica North, Dimic told the media she went to the promenade with other activists, while some of them were banned from approaching the promenade at the very beginning of it. However she approached the café where Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti was sitting.

“I took the whistle and started whistling and at the very same moment police came, took me to the police vehicle and then to the station”, she said. There she was issued a fine “for obstructing public peace and order”. “I do not know where it exists that the fine is issued only because you are expressing your protest”, she added.

Arsenijevic: Kurti does not like any form of resistance

Serbian Democracy leader Aleksandar Arsenijevic was also in front of the police station. In an address to the media he recalled that this is one in a series of illegal punishments, because noise is allowed until 10 p.m. according to Article 8 of the Law on Public Order and Peace. Arsenijevic also commented on today's activity of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in the north as he inaugurated a police sub-station in Lesak.

"He doesn't have any factories to inaugurate, so there it is, it is only left that he starts inaugurating police toilets in the North. We oppose his propaganda", Arsenijevic said.

Arsenijevic was one of those not allowed to go to the bottom of the promenade, while Kurti was there.

"(Albin) Kurti, his ministers do not like any kind of resistance to this. We are deconstructing his propaganda show, by having someone rebel and protest because of his propaganda, that he comes with to act as a conqueror of the north”, Arsenijevic said. He also had a message for his fellow residents: "Let's move on, we won't give up and we'll all be strong on Sunday, and from Monday we'll do it differently".

More fines for Serbian political entities: Serbian Democracy fined following Self-Determination complaint, others filed complaints against each other (Alternativna.com)

Serbian Democracy (SD) has so far been fined a total of 12,000 euros following complaints from Self-determination - this party confirmed. From February 1 to 6, more fines were imposed on other Serbian political entities based on complaints they filed against each other, Alternativna.com portal reported.

Serbian Democracy was fined 4,500 euros, based on a complaint filed by Self-determination.

A fine of 4,000 euros was imposed on the Serbian List, following a complaint by the party For Freedom, Justice and Survival.

Another fine of 4,000 euros was imposed on the Serbian List following an appeal by the CI People’s Justice.

While a fine of 3,500 euros was imposed on the Party for Freedom, Justice and Survival following a complaint by the Serbian List.

Radakovic from ACDC shares DiA post on election ink quality (social media)

Dusan Radakovic, Director of Mitrovica North-based Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture (ACDC), who is also part of the coalition Democracy in Action (DiA) observing elections in Kosovo for many years, shared on his Facebook account DiA communiqué of DiA, in which they expressed their concerns regarding quality of election/indelible ink.

“Democracy in Action (DiA) expresses deep concern related to doubts on the quality of the ink that will be used on Election Day.

This will be the first election in which the Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided to change the method of voter verification, abandoning the control of fingers with invisible spray and UV lamp, and switching to the use of a pen/matriculation ink to mark the voter’s finger. According to the technical specifications required by the CEC, the matriculation ink should remain visible on the finger for at least 48 hours.

However, according to information received by DiA from sources in the CEC, the matriculation pen/ink that was received last week through tender procedures did not meet the required standards. According to this information, the registration mark remains on the finger for some time and can be easily erased. This could seriously jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process.

DiA urgently asks the CEC to be transparent by providing complete and accurate information regarding these concerns as soon as possible. We also ask the CEC to take concrete actions and find alternative solutions for voter identification, if it is proven that the colour of the graduation certificate accepted through the tender does not meet quality standards”, DiA said in a statement.

Lawyer Vasic once again requests house arrest measure for Sladjan Trajkovic (Radio KIM, Radio kontakt plus)

Dejan Vasic defence lawyer of Sladjan Trajkovic, accused of allegedly committing war crimes in Vucitrn in 1999, requested again the detention measure of his client be commuted to a house arrest, Radio KIM reported.

In elaboration of his request, Vasic said the decision on extending the detention measure was a copy-paste of the previous decision made by judicial panel members. He said the decision and description of reasonable doubts were copy-pasted from an old decision passed during the investigation, adding it took defence eight months, once the investigation started, to find out what these reasonable doubts were about.

He underlined that one of the witnesses in this process has changed his statement four times and therefore can not be considered as a relevant witness. “Such a witness cannot be credible even for a forest theft in Kacanik or Zubin Potok, and this witnesses M.G. because of four completely different statements should have been prosecuted over false testimony, not because I am smart and say so, but because if someone makes statements four times about the same event and all four times he speaks differently about the same event, then it must be that this witnesses has lied at least three times, and the witness must speak the truth under criminal accountability”, Vasic argued.

Vasic further explained that his client lives across from the prosecution office in Mitrovica North and there is a police patrol there all the time, so for him there is no risk of fleeing. He also accused the judicial panel of keeping Trajkovic in detention only because he is a Serb and accused of war crimes.

He also requested the judicial panel to read the statement of witness V.K., who spoke about events in the prison in Smrekovinica, and who, as Vasic said, described the conduct of Albanian prison guard A.T..

“He described in detail how A.T. tortured Albanian prisoners. And now the question arises, why A.T. is not in prison for such accusations? Because he is not a Serb. And what you are doing to Sladjan is exclusively and only done because he is a Serb”, Vasic added.

In a hearing today, the witness M.P. did not incriminate Sladjan Trajkovic. He spoke about events in prison in Smrekovnica, sports hall in Vucitrn and Technical School there. He said Albanian prisoners were mistreated physically but he did not see Trajkovic taking part in it.

Sladjan Trajkovic was arrested in December 2022, in Mitrovica North, soon after he as a member of Kosovo police submitted resignation as part of collective resignations of Serbs in the north. He remains in detention ever since his arrest.

Finnish KFOR soldiers conducted water testing at Brnjak Monastery (Kosovo Online, social media)

Finnish KFOR soldiers assigned to the Regional Command East conducted water testing at Serbian Orthodox Church Brnjak Monastery in Zubin Potok, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“Finnish soldiers assigned to Regional Command East of the #NATO-led #KFOR mission conducted water testing at Brnjak Monastery to ensure the water was safe for consumption and free of any toxins or radiation. These efforts are part of KFOR's daily mission to guarantee a safe and secure environment for all communities living in Kosovo.

KFOR continues to implement its mandate - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Mission on Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX) in their respective roles as security responders”, KFOR said in a statement on its official Facebook account.

National Library employees: We stand with students (N1)

A majority of employees of the National Library of Serbia express their unwavering support for the students and their demands made following the Novi Sad tragedy, said a statement issued by the library staff, N1 reported.

The 117 signatories of the statement said they were joining employees from cultural, scientific, artistic, educational and other numerous institutions across the country in supporting the student demands made following the Novi Sad tragedy. On November 1, 2024, the concrete canopy roof at the recently renovated Novi Sad main train station collapsed, claiming the lives of 15 people and severely injuring two.

“We believe that the rule of law and accountability are the only foundation on which a healthy and free society can be built, and we condemn all violence against students and citizens demanding respect for the law and basic civil norms. This support is our moral obligation and an expression of solidarity, and we invite all librarians to add their signatures in support of student demands”, they said.

Opinion

Will parliamentary election bring a new dawn to Kosovo? (Emerging Europe)

Opinion piece by Alon Ben-Meir.

Most Kosovars hope that a parliamentary election on February 9 and the formation of a new coalition government will usher in a promising new era that will substantially improve the day-to-day lives of ordinary people. Will the new government be in tune to meet much of the public’s expectations?

In any fair and free national election in Kosovo, most electorates hope that a new chapter will dawn and bring a better prospect for growth, prosperity, and security.

Given the current political atmosphere in Kosovo, the public seems conflicted; a relative majority want to see Prime Minister Albin Kurti back at the helm, but they also want more concrete progress on an array of domestic issues and tangible headway in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

How much of this will be realised will have to await the result of the elections, when the public will see which party will form a coalition government that will be responsive to the public’s needs and expectations.

The upcoming elections are expected to be highly competitive, reflecting the fragmented political environment in Kosovo. There are 28 different political entities, including 20 parties, 5 coalitions, 2 civil initiatives, and 1 independent candidate running in this election.

The main contenders are Kurti’s Vetëvendosje, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led by Lumir Abdixhiku, and the Democratic party of Kosovo (PDK) led by Memli Krasniqi, who is gaining more support in various municipalities than Kurti.

Since the election campaign started earlier than usual, it has been further aggravated by the tense atmosphere between Serbian and Albanian political parties. The outcome of the election will likely be shaped not only by the country’s domestic concerns but also by the relationship between these parties.

There are some concerns that Serbia might try to disrupt the electoral process, particularly in areas with a majority ethnic Serbian population. Belgrade could encourage voter boycotts and spread misinformation, but there is no hard evidence of Serbian interference. PM Kurti is favoured to win a plurality but not a majority and may need other parties’ support to form the next coalition government. However, the political landscape can shift, though it may not be enough to deny him a second term.