UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 29, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani and Clinton talk about Kosovo’s freedom and achievements (AP)
Kurti and Lawer discuss Kosovo-U.S. partnership, challenges in Balkans (media)
Latimer: Kosovo made great strides improving living standards (media)
Citaku slams Kurti over remarks about Strategic Dialogue with US (media)
Bislimi: Serbia’s behavior in the dialogue process, obstructive (media)
Court’s temporary measures expire tomorrow, what next? (Dukagjini)
Protest in Pristina for release of ex-policeman held in Serbia (Telegrafi)
KLA War Veterans to organize protest in Tirana on Oct 17 (Telegrafi)
Hoti warns of “social and economic crisis that hasn’t been seen since ‘99” (AP)

Serbian Language Media:

Radojevic: Citizens expect the liberation of their municipalities in the north (RTS, Kosovo Online)
"New Face - People's Justice" proposed the implementation of the decision on vehicles to postpone (KoSSev)
Gogic: Pristina's new measures turn Serbs into "foreigners in their own houses" (Radio Mitrovica sever, Radio Gorazdevac, KiM radio)
Academic Plenum: The new Kosovo regulations "do not officially abolish anything", but indirectly lead to the shutdown of the remaining Serbian institutions (KoSSev)
PM Macut: General Nebojsa Pavkovic arrived in Serbia (Tanjug, N1)
Kurti links U.S. suspension of Strategic Dialogue to Serb-run institution crackdown in the North (KoSSev)
How the government "disciplined" educators - more than 100 school employees lost their jobs in Serbia (N1, KoSSev)

International:

Kosovo Options Shrink as Deadlock Over Parliament Drags on (BIRN)
Slobodan Milosevic and the Dark Side of Serbia (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani and Clinton talk about Kosovo’s freedom and achievements (AP)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani took part in a panel organized under the patronage of former US President Bill Clinton, where she said that Kosovo’s success is a result of the efforts of the people of Kosovo, the support of international allies and the determination not to take freedom for granted. “This success is yours too Mr. President and of many of our allies and friends all over the world. The history of Kosovo shows clearly what freedom-loving nations can achieve and when they don’t turn their backs to an oppressed people that simply wants to live in freedom, enjoy basic rights and use their God-given rights,” she said.

Osmani said that the experience of war has made Kosovo appreciate its freedom every day and engage in building a safe and fair society. She also highlighted the close cooperation with the US Army and international partners in safeguarding peace and stability in the region and beyond. “Kosovo’s soldiers serve shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers in peacekeeping missions. We try to help and share our experiences. Survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo now travel around the world to support victims in Ukraine, Sudan and other countries of the Middle East,” she said.

Osmani also talked about the difficulties of maintaining peace in the region and the destabilizing influences from abroad. She recalled that Kosovo continues to face threats from Serbia and that Russia’s destabilizing actions affect the stability of other countries in Europe. “They constantly threaten different parts of the continent, including the Western Balkans. This ‘axis of evil’ which includes Russia, China and Iran, is trying to spread its influence be it through military force, the economy or extremist ideologies, and trying to destroy everything we have built together,” she added.

Clinton said that many people considered him crazy for his decision to intervene in Kosovo, but that he was certain that aerial intervention would be the most humane and effective way to bring an end to the war because he knew that Kosovars would never give up until they would win their freedom.

Kurti and Lawer discuss Kosovo-U.S. partnership, challenges in Balkans (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti met in New York with U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. According to the statement of the caretaker government, the meeting focused on deepening partnership between Kosovo and the United States, with an emphasis on economic cooperation, foreign direct investment, and trade exchanges. The Important role of the Albanian diaspora in this process was also highlighted. Kurti informed Congressman Lawler about recent developments in Kosovo, mentioning progress in the economy, democracy, security, and the rule of law. According to the statement, the discussion also touched on the threat of Russian influence in Europe and the Western Balkans. Congressman Lawler informed Kurti on his decision to join the Congressional Albanian Issues Caucus.

Latimer: Kosovo made great strides improving living standards (media)

US Congressman George Latimer said in a Facebook post that he met Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. “Today I was honored to meet with Prime Minister Kurti of the Republic of Kosovo. As a young nation, Kosovo has made great strides improving living standards while maintaining democratic principles. Keeping strong ties with allies like Kosovo is the best way to maintain peace, prosperity and democracy in America and abroad,” Latimer said.

Citaku slams Kurti over remarks about Strategic Dialogue with US (media)

Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and MP, Vlora Citaku, in an interview with Ekonomia Online, criticized Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti who said that the planned strategic dialogue with the US was suspended because of Kosovo’s rule of law actions in the north. Citaku said that “the United States of America did not intervene militarily in Kosovo in 1999 to make Kosovo a failed state, and they did not lead the process of strengthening Kosovo’s international position after the declaration of independence to make Kosovo a failed state. The US has invested strongly for 26 years in Kosovo in all areas, and to say that the strategic dialogue has failed because of Kurti’s insistence for rule of law and democracy is, mildly put, ridiculous, but when a person with political weight says this then it is shameful,” she argued.

Bislimi: Serbia’s behavior in the dialogue process, obstructive (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, met with the new Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Kosovo, Borut Blaj. Among others they discussed the dialogue process. “At the last chief negotiators’ meeting held in Brussels earlier this month, Serbia’s obstructive behavior in the process was once again clearly evident, in its withdrawal from the Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Annex, as well as the blocking of the establishment of the Joint Commission on forcibly disappeared persons,” the statement notes.

Court’s temporary measures expire tomorrow, what next? (Dukagjini)

The news website reports that it is still unknown what will happen after the expiration of the temporary measure imposed on the Assembly of Kosovo by the Constitutional Court. The Court has not issued a final decision, nor has it clarified whether, after the end of the measure, parliamentary procedures can resume or whether a ruling will be made that could alter the course followed so far.

Experts in the constitutional matter say that several scenarios are possible: the Court may rule that the actions of the Assembly were in accordance with the Constitution and allow the process to continue; it may require a repeat vote for the deputy speakers, following the previous practice (with a joint vote for all candidates); or it may determine that there were procedural violations that render the process so far invalid.

In any case, concludes the article, the current lack of clarity has created an institutional vacuum that is directly affecting Kosovo’s democratic functioning and the process of forming institutions.

Protest in Pristina for release of ex-policeman held in Serbia (Telegrafi)

The family of former member of Kosovo Police special units, Arbnor Spahiu, who has been held in detention in Serbia for several months now, will organize a peaceful protest in downtown Pristina on Tuesday. The family said the purpose of the protest is to raise the voice against injustice and demand a stronger reaction from local and international institutions for Spahiu’s release.

KLA War Veterans to organize protest in Tirana on Oct 17 (Telegrafi)

The organization of the KLA War Veterans said in a press conference today that the next peaceful protest in support of former KLA leaders in the Hague will be held in Tirana, Albania, on October 17. KLA War Veterans leader, Hysni Gucati, said the protest in Tirana will be held after protests were held in Pristina and the Hague. “The reasons are clear and known to the public, it concerns the injustice that is going on at the Specialist Chambers against former leaders of the KLA,” he said.

Gucati expressed appreciation for the Albanian government for its continuous support and called on Albanians everywhere they live to join the protest. “Let us rise as a single voice to demand justice for our liberators and to oppose injustice. We welcome all of you to Tirana,” he said.

Hoti warns of “social and economic crisis that hasn’t been seen since ‘99” (AP)

MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and MP, Avdullah Hoti, warns in a Facebook post today that Kosovo could face a social and economic crisis due to the lack of a new government even eight months after the parliamentary elections. “Without a budget approved for 2026, starting from January next year, not a single cent can be paid for wages, pensions, social assistance or goods and services for the basic needs of the institutions. This will produce a social and economic crisis that hasn’t been seen since 1999. This is major irresponsibility by the political and institutional leadership,” he argued. “The budget for 2026 cannot be adopted in the absence of a functional Assembly. According to my information, the 2026-2028 Mid-Term Expenditure Framework has not been adopted by the government. This document is the basis to issue the 2026/01 budget circulation which then serves as the basis for preparing the budgets of budget organizations”.

Serbian Language Media

Radojevic: Citizens expect the liberation of their municipalities in the north (RTS, Kosovo Online)

Candidate for mayor of North Mitrovica Milan Radojevic emphasized that the upcoming local elections in Kosovo are of special importance for Serbs, who expect above all the liberation of municipalities in the north of Kosovo, reported Kosovo Online, citing RTS.

Radojevic told RTS this morning that three years ago, with just over a hundred votes, people unknown to the citizens but “known to Albin Kurti came to lead the four municipalities in the north”.

“For the past three years, citizens have endured terror, which began with the confiscation of buildings housing Serbian institutions, continued with the mass closure of facilities, and was followed by the seizure of apartments and houses under the pretext that there was no proof of property ownership. It went on with political repression and raids on institutions, the arrest of young people wearing fan-group T-shirts, and the takeover of the sports hall to prevent children from doing sports. In the past three years, sports, and cultural life in the north of Kosovo has withered away. Our children have been banned from competing in tournaments organized by Serbia, actors have been banned from visiting Kosovo and Metohija. In short, a general administrative and police repression has been carried out in the north of Kosovo,” he explained.

Radojevic stressed that this is why these elections are crucial for citizens who rightly expect all this to stop and for the situation to return to normal, allowing them a normal life and the right to freedom of speech.

Asked how unfair the electoral contest he is participating in is, Radojevic said the situation is extremely difficult.

“It is no secret that since coming to power Kurti has tried to ban the Serbian List. Our candidates are under constant pressure and face threats from judicial authorities in Pristina. However, what is certain is that the citizens expect freedom in their municipalities,” he underlined.

As an example of the fight against the Serbian List, Radojevic pointed out that in the municipality of North Mitrovica, the smallest one, ten candidates are running for mayor and there are 13 councilor lists.

“All of those lists, even those that call themselves Serbian, are against the Serbian List. In their programs and campaigns, they do not criticize municipal decisions or Albin Kurti’s decisions with a single word but focus all their efforts on attacking the Serbian List. It is no secret that Kurti is trying to abolish the municipality of North Mitrovica and merge it with South Mitrovica,” he said.

According to him, citizens are aware of the importance of the upcoming elections, and he expressed confidence that “they will vote for the SL so that it can liberate North Mitrovica and other municipalities in Kosovo”.

Radojevic pointed out that when Serbs withdrew from the institutions in 2022, highlighting the difficult situation of the Serbian people, they believed that the international community would react.

“We expected KFOR and the Quint representatives. Unfortunately, we saw that apart from anemic statements, Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija received no concrete help. And we expected it. Back in 2022, with the opening of police bases, we warned about the seriousness of the moment. Unfortunately, we saw that we cannot expect help from the representatives of the international community. It is left to the citizens to elect their representatives in these elections and to continue fighting for their rights through the institutions,” said Radojevic.

Radojevic said that the latest decision by the Independent Media Commission is just another in a series of measures exerting pressure on the SL and Serbs.

“Imagine, we are not allowed to use the word ‘terror,’ but what else should we call what the citizens are living through here? This is just a continuation of the pressure that has lasted since Kurti came to power. It is certain that Kurti will not stop, and who knows what else he will come up with just to prevent the Serbian List from coming to power,” he said.

Radojevic stressed that the only constant in these difficult times has always been the steady support of Serbia, the president, the government, and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

“Despite all the pressures we face, the state of Serbia has always stood by its citizens. The state of Serbia is present to the extent that circumstances allow. A vote for the Serbian List is a vote for the state of Serbia,” he underlined.

"New Face - People's Justice" proposed the implementation of the decision on vehicles to postpone (KoSSev)

KoSSev reported yesterday that on the eve of the announced application of the Law on Vehicles in Kosovo, i.e. the announcement that it will no longer be possible to drive with authorization on that territory, the Civic Initiative "New Face - People's justice" also joined other political subjects and warned of the consequences of that decision for Serbs, but also offered ways to resolve the issue.

"That prohibition measure not only threatens the daily life of people from the north of Kosovo, but also deeply threatens our trust among ourselves and endangers the chances of an agreement. We do not want to allow discord to tear us apart - now is the time to work together, to speak with one voice, not to allow fear and hysteria to turn into chaos," said this CI. They presented their proposals for a solution, requesting the implementation of the decision to be postponed and withdrawn until a dialogue was established.

In addition, they sought reciprocity, i.e., mutual recognition of plates, which, it is suggested, should be agreed upon by the competent authorities of Pristina and Belgrade.

The CI also said that a transitional reasonable period without sanctions was needed.

In their opinion, the role of the international community, the embassy and supervisory bodies is indispensable.

Therefore, they invited the EU, UNMIK, KFOR, OSCE, the EU Delegation, the embassies of countries monitoring the situation in Kosovo as well as other relevant international actors to:

"Actively observe and mediate in the implementation of the agreement; they ensure that human rights are not threatened during the transition period; they are the guarantor of the implementation of all agreements - both in Kosovo and in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo."

This CI called residents '' to remain calm, not to fall for provocations, to lend a hand to those who are in front of them, to talk, consult with each other and build a defense of dignity and the law", and asked Pristina to hear the voice and concerns of the people from the north.

Gogic: Pristina's new measures turn Serbs into "foreigners in their own houses" (Radio Mitrovica sever, Radio Gorazdevac, KiM radio)

Political scientist Ognjen Gogic estimated that Pristina's new measures on the law on traffic and identity cards, although presented as technical, essentially make the life of the Serbian community in Kosovo more difficult. He warned that they created legal uncertainty, turning people into "strangers in their own houses", while the reaction of the international community was almost absent. He considered that it was necessary to suspend their application until legitimate institutions were formed that would solve them in a legal way, reported Radio Mitrovica sever.

Gogic said in the program "Our Morning" on Radio Gorazdevac that the regulations of the Kosovo Police regarding license plates, authorizations and identity cards are not part of the election campaign, but that in practice they make the life of Serbs in Kosovo more difficult.

"The situation is marked by the upcoming local elections, although other issues seem to dominate in relation to the campaigns themselves. At the central level, the situation regarding the formation of the government and the assembly still has not been resolved. The Constitutional Court is expected these days to pass a verdict on the appeal of the Serbian List, so let's see what will happen next with the Assembly. In addition, other topics are in focus - such as the interruption of the dialogue with the Americans or the stay of Osmani and Kurti in the USA. It seems that the media is following that more than the local elections themselves.

When it comes to Serbs, interest in the campaign and elections is not great, except to some extent in the north, where a change is expected in some municipalities. For the Serbian community, however, issues such as authorization, residency and the announced integration of the health and education system are more important. When the re-registration of license plates in the north was completed at the end of 2023, there was already talk that vehicles with Serbian license plates would be tolerated for a while, but not forever. We knew that the only question was when the moment for implementation would come. It is problematic that the measure came into effect right at the time of the campaign for local elections, and by a technical government. If such issues really want to be resolved, then it should be done by the legitimate government and assembly, through changes in laws and by laws, and not by a technical government. Such unilateral measures appear to be technical, bureaucratic, and essentially make the position of Serbs in Kosovo more difficult," said Gogic.

When asked whether the regulations of the Kosovo Police can be part of the pre-election campaign, Gogic says that they do not have a great resonance in the Albanian community, so he believes that they are not part of the campaign.

"I don't think so, because they don't resonate with the Albanian public. As far as I've seen the media and talked to people, no one is taking it seriously. It's perceived more as a technical issue. So, it's more of a pressure on the Serbs than a campaign that brings political points," says Gogic.

Academic Plenum: The new Kosovo regulations "do not officially abolish anything", but indirectly lead to the shutdown of the remaining Serbian institutions (KoSSev)

"The new Kosovo regulations, especially the 'Law on Foreigners', seriously threaten the rights of Serbs and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo," the Academic Plenum warned today, reported KoSSev portal.

As they state, the implementation of new measures can completely prevent the functioning of the remaining Serbian institutions in Kosovo, that is, educational and health institutions, so formal closure, as they assess, will not even be necessary.

The Academic Plenum today called on the Serbian authorities to inform the citizens publicly and truthfully about the resulting obligations from the Brussels and Ohrid Agreements, especially regarding the educational and health institutions in Kosovo.

This public call comes after, as they say, they addressed the Serbian authorities with a statement two weeks ago, after the closure of the PIO fund and RFZO. Then they asked them to take appropriate measures and act through diplomatic channels. However, as they point out, there was no reaction from Serbia.

In the meantime, they say, the situation worsened with the publication of the "Guide for entry, movement, residence and employment of foreigners in Kosovo", issued by the Kosovo MIA, based on the "Law on Foreigners".

It was this measure that caused great concern.

The Academic Plenum explains that ''citizens of Kosovo who do not have Kosovo documents cannot obtain work permits, which, according to them, means that they cannot exercise the right to work and other rights because they are not recognized within the Kosovo system."

"The status of a foreigner belongs to everyone who possesses Serbian documents and works or studies within the system of the Republic of Serbia, and would have to apply for a residence permit, which in turn requires an employment contract signed with an institution registered in the Kosovo legal system (only a foreigner who owns his own business is exempt from this obligation)," the Plenum states.

At the same time, they warn that people born and living in Kosovo, who do not have Kosovo documents, will be "treated as foreigners" according to the new regulations.

According to them, this means that they will not be able to use their basic rights - to treatment, education and employment - or to register their residence.

They face the risk of deportation followed by extreme humiliation and discrimination

Another problem, as they state, is the impossibility of studying at ''the University of Kosovska Mitrovica, accredited by the Ministry of Education of Serbia''.

The plenum points out that the academic community includes around 8,500 students and 1,200 employees, and that the majority of students do not have Kosovo identity cards, which is why they cannot obtain the necessary residence permits.

They also point out that the new regulations of the Kosovo Police in the chapter "Elementary, secondary and higher education" require that everyone who wants to study has a "Certificate of Enrollment in an accredited educational institution in the Republic of Kosovo" - while all educational and health institutions where Serbs receive education and treatment are established and accredited by the Republic of Serbia and its ministries.

In this regard, they warned of the consequences, namely: the departure of Serbs and other non-Albanian population from Kosovo - including Bosniaks, Montenegrins, Gorani and Roma - because, as they state, they do not meet the requirements of the new regulation.

"Pupils and students lose their right to education; Serbs and other non-Albanians lose their right to health care, employment, as well as existing jobs; Tensions and incidents on the ground, especially if the Kosovo police start repressively enforcing the law; Deterioration of the overall situation and increase of intolerance between different ethnic communities".

“If these measures are implemented, the formal closure of the remaining Serbian institutions, on which the survival of the Serbs in Kosovo largely depends, will not even be necessary. A perfidious plan to disable their functioning leads to their silent shutdown”.

And while, as they say, the representatives of the Kosovo Police claim that they have adopted new regulations that "do not officially abolish anything", their implementation, according to the Academic Plenum, "indirectly leads to the disappearance of all Serbian institutions that are not under the jurisdiction of the Kosovo system".

The statement was signed by: ''Proactive University in Pristina with temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica; Free State University in Novi Pazar; Rebellious University, Belgrade; Forum of the University of Arts in Belgrade; Free University of Novi Sad; Academic Plenum Novi Sad; Free University of Kragujevac; Free University in Nis.

PM Macut: General Nebojsa Pavkovic arrived in Serbia (Tanjug, N1)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut said on Sunday that General Nebojsa Pavkovic has arrived in Serbia, where he will continue receiving medical treatment.

Pavkovic held various roles in the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) and was assigned to the Pristina Corps in Kosovo starting in 1994, taking command in 1998.

In late 2003, he and other generals faced charges from the Hague Tribunal, and in 2005, were extradited to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

In 2009, he was found guilty on all counts, including deportations, forced transfers, murders, persecutions, and other inhumane acts, and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Others convicted alongside him included Vladimir Lazarevic, Nikola Sainovic, Dragoljub Ojdanic, and Sreten Lukic. Slobodan Milosevic, the primary accused, died in custody, while Milan Milutinovic was acquitted.

Kurti links U.S. suspension of Strategic Dialogue to Serb-run institution crackdown in the North (KoSSev)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti told audiences in the US that “he will not compromise on implementing the rule of law in the north of Kosovo” — a policy he openly links to Washington’s suspension of its Strategic Dialogue with Pristina. Criticizing his predecessors as “too lenient” toward Serbia, Kurti defended his government’s closure of “illegal institutions in the north,” even as he acknowledged that these moves have led to “diplomatic obstacles” with U.S. officials who believe “they complicate efforts to draw Belgrade away from Moscow”.

Kurti travelled to the U.S. days after the State Department halted the Strategic Dialogue on 12 September, citing his government’s policies and public statements.

Before his trip, he insisted that ties with Washington “are not damaged” but admitted “differences over Serbia’s illegal institutions” remain.

“Three-dimensional” relations

Speaking in the host country, Kurti reiterated that Kosovo maintains a “three-dimensional agreement” with the U.S. covering development, diplomacy and defense.

He described the suspension of the Dialogue as “temporary” and tied it directly to his crackdown on Serbian-run structures in the north.

“The main obstacles are in diplomacy,” he said.

“The U.S. considers it extremely important to draw Serbia away from the Eastern Hemisphere because of its close ties to Moscow. By consistently implementing the rule of law, democracy, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, we are, in the view of some American politicians and diplomats, not helping the U.S. to distance Serbia from Russia. But frankly, that should not be my problem. I represent the interests of the Republic of Kosovo,” he added, reported KoSSev, citing Albanian-language media reports.

Kurti also underscored that, unlike his predecessors, he does not intervene in police operations: “I am not a prime minister who tells the Kosovo Police: ‘Don’t arrest this Serbian criminal because Brussels or Washington might criticize us.’ If they arrest him, good for the police, bad for him.”

“I’m normal — I may seem a bit extreme, but that’s because my predecessors weren’t normal,” he quipped, while warning that even “a little leniency” toward Belgrade “never pays off.”

Renewed criticism of the Constitutional Court

Kurti’s visit comes as U.S. diplomats point to his repeated criticism of Kosovo’s Constitutional Court, which the international community expects to help resolve Kosovo’s ongoing institutional crisis.

Speaking at a forum hosted by the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility at The New School in New York, Kurti attacked a recent Court decision striking down a law capping profit margins on basic goods — calling it “wrong and hypocritical.”

He contrasted that ruling with an earlier one defending high judicial salaries against government cuts, accusing the Court of applying a double standard.

He labeled the profit-cap ruling “the most painful court decision in the past four years,” saying it harmed Kosovo’s most vulnerable households.

Diplomatic strains and political deadlock

Kurti’s U.S. tour included appearances at private events with prominent Albanian-American figures and tributes to victims of both the 11 September attacks and the 1999 killings of the Bytyqi brothers by Serbian forces.

Meanwhile, Kosovo faces an institutional crisis at home. Nearly eight months after elections, parliament remains only partially constituted. The newly elected Speaker of the Parliament, Dimal Basha, declared the Assembly constituted on August 30, but the Serbian List is challenging the procedure. A temporary injunction from the Constitutional Court has frozen the work of MPs and the formation of a new government until the end of September.

President Vjosa Osmani argues parliament can function without one of its vice-presidents, but opposition parties insist that without a Serbian vice-president, it lacks legitimacy.

With local elections due on 12 October, Kosovo heads into the fall with a caretaker government, a partially blocked parliament, and a suspended Strategic Dialogue with its key ally, the United States.

How the government "disciplined" educators - more than 100 school employees lost their jobs in Serbia (N1, KoSSev)

The highest price for supporting students, since November, was paid by educators. According to data from the professional network union, more than 100 school employees have already lost their jobs or contract extensions, while more than 100 disciplinary proceedings have been initiated in high schools and elementary schools, reported N1 in English.

Tatjana Vasovic Novosel was the principal of the "Banovic Strahinja" elementary school in Banovo Brdo until the end of the previous school year. Then she was dismissed.

"They were obviously angry that I supported the student protests and stood by the collective that decided to suspend work, and then I was dismissed in early July, and I am the first principal in Belgrade to be dismissed," said Vasovic Novosel.

The first, but not the only, in Belgrade and Serbia. The Ministry of Education blacklisted collectives or directors who supported decisions made by vote and related to the strike of teachers.

How the government "disciplined" educators - more than 100 school employees lost their jobs, more than 110 disciplinary proceedings, 25 school directors dismissed, 75 school directors resigned, criminal charges and hearings of the rectors and vice-rectors.

The retaliation against teachers began before the start of the new school year, and some teachers received information that their contracts had not been extended on the eve of September 1. The Minister of Education has a different view on everything.

"There are a total of 1,860 primary and secondary schools in Serbia, as many as their principals. Four percent of principals have resigned, and only 1.3 percent have been dismissed. Therefore, the Ministry of Education has not taken any mass repressive steps," said Education Minister Dejan Vuk Stankovic.

The greatest pressure in schools was exerted through disciplinary procedures. The procedures were most often related to the suspension of classes and support for student protests, and in many cases were initiated quickly and with serious suspicions of violations of legal procedures.

The dismissed principal from the beginning of the story has returned to teaching and is now working as a teacher. She is waiting for better times.

"We all experienced it, somewhere, actually, as a reward and great pride that they were the ones who dismissed us because it means that we were on the right side, fighting for the reputation and dignity of educators," said Vasovic Novosel.

They continue their defense with appeals they filed with the Administrative Court because, they believe, the dismissals were unfounded.

International

Kosovo Options Shrink as Deadlock Over Parliament Drags on (BIRN)

Ahead of yet another ruling by the Constitutional Court on the ongoing logjam, early polls look increasingly likely.

A whopping 942,000 euros have been spent on salaries for the 120 Kosovo MPs since they took their oath on April 15, without managing to finish even the first session, which includes parliament’s inauguration.

Political life in Kosovo has been on virtual stand-by since voters headed to the polls on February 9 to elect new representatives, who have not, however, since formed an operating parliament or a new government.

Currently, parliament is under a provisional measure imposed by the Constitutional Court and cannot make any further decisions on forming a government until September 30.