UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 22, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

VV candidate for Assembly Speaker does not get enough votes (media)
Krasniqi: VV nominated Murati in order to delay assembly constitution (media)
Citaku accuses VV of “sabotaging formation of institutions” (media)
Gervalla: PDK, LDK, AAK have decided to block formation of institutions (media)
Haradinaj: We want a unifying candidate (Indeksonline)
U.S. Embassy: Leaders must prioritize progress and stability (RFE)
KJI calls on LVV to break deadlock, ensure parliament's constitution (media)
Bytyci: Serbian List profits from heated ethnic campaign rhetoric (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Elek: CEC decision discriminatory, SL to undertake all steps so candidates are certified (media)
Serbian List filed appeal to Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, expects CEC decision be annulled (media)
Serbian Democracy filed appeal against CEC decision not to certify them (media)
Djuric: I expect stronger pressure on Serbian List, decision on certification will not pass (media)
Gogic: CEC decision illegal and undemocratic, SL should file criminal charges against those labelling it ‘terrorist’ (RTS)
Radojkovic: Kurti wants only “acceptable Serbs” in elections; testing West’s “red lines” (Kosovo Online)
Vehicle belonging to family member of Serbian List municipal councilor candidate in Zvecan set on fire (Alternativna)
Serbian Oil Industry again seeks delay of US sanctions (N1, RTS)
Academic Plenum creates database to track dismissal of teachers who participated in protests (N1)

Opinion:

Vujović in an open letter: Lucid perceptiveness of Veton Surroi – a consistent character that remains unchanged (KoSSev)
Surroi: What “Šiptar” and “Ustaša” chants reveal about Serbia today (KoSSev)

International:

Belgrade-backed Kosovo Serb party barred from running in October’s local polls (BIRN)
A father’s 26-year search for his son missing in the Kosovo war (PI)

Albanian Language Media

VV candidate for Assembly Speaker does not get enough votes (media)

The main story in the media today is the resumption of the constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly where the candidate of the Vetevendosje Movement for Assembly Speaker – Hekuran Murati – did not get enough votes for the post. The next assembly session will be held on Sunday.

Krasniqi: VV nominated Murati in order to delay assembly constitution (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi said after today’s assembly session that PDK MPs did not vote in favor of Hekuran Murati for Assembly Speaker, because this party has made it clear that it will not vote for ministers of the previous government. He argued that the Vetevendosje Movement nominated Murati on purpose knowing that he would not get enough votes for the post. “The Vetevendosje Movement does not want to form the new Assembly,” he said.

Citaku accuses VV of “sabotaging formation of institutions” (media)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Vlora Citaku criticized the Vetevendosje Movement today for “sabotaging the formation of institutions”. “They are shamelessly ridiculing the people of Kosovo, those that trusted and voted for them in the last elections. With their actions, the Vetevendosje Movement aims to delegitimize the institutions and democracy itself,” Citaku writes in a Facebook post.

Gervalla: PDK, LDK and AAK have decided to block formation of institutions (media)

Guxo MP and caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gervalla said today that the non-election of Hekuran Murati as Kosovo Assembly Speaker today shows that “the problem is not about the candidates”, Radio Free Europe reports. She accused parties that were in the opposition in the previous mandate for “deciding to block [the formation of institutions] and let’s see how far they can take this blockade”. “The blockade is not about individual names, but rather about the opposition’s lack of readiness to move to a new phase, the constitution of the assembly and the formation of the government,” she argued.

Commenting on the Serbian List, Gervalla said that “a party that aims to undo Kosovo it does not belong in the Assembly or in municipal leaderships. This is why we are adamant that they should not be certified for the October [local] elections, and it should not be allowed to happen”.

Ekonomia Online reports that Gervalla said she has no ties with the Specialist Chambers in the Hague. She made these remarks after some allegations in public that she testified or was an associate of the court. “I will undertake legal steps against anyone who claims that I have sent testimonies to the Hague or that I have testified in the Hague. Donika Gervalla has no contact or testimonies with the court in the Hague. All those that attack me in public for being against the KLA [Kosovo Liberation Army] should think hard because history shows that when I contributed to the liberation war some people were drinking milk back then. I am not a witness of the Hague,” she said.

Haradinaj: We want a unifying candidate (Indeksonline)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said after today’s session of the Kosovo Assembly that it is unreasonable to keep the candidacy for the Assembly Speaker secret until the session. “There is no reason to keep the candidacy secret until the session. I would understand if this was about the post of director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency or a similar post. But to keep the candidacy for the Assembly Speaker secret from the MPs, it is illogical and insulting. We wanted consultations for a unifying candidate, but we were rejected. [Constitutive session chair Avni] Dehari did not dare cooperate with us, because he didn’t receive instructions. Until there is a unifying candidacy, we will not vote. We abstained today in order to send the message that we want a solution to be found; we want a unifying candidate,” he said.

U.S. Embassy: Leaders must prioritize progress and stability (RFE)

The U.S. Embassy in Pristina issued a statement on Thursday warning that Kosovo is paying a heavy price for its ongoing political impasse. They urged political leaders to prioritize Kosovo’s progress and stability. The Embassy stressed that all parliamentary parties need to collaborate to form new institutions in compliance with Kosovo’s Constitution and the Constitutional Court’s decisions. “This prolonged political blockade is costing Kosovo both opportunities and trust in its institutions. It’s time for leadership to place progress and stability first, for the benefit of all citizens.”

KJI calls on LVV to break deadlock, ensure parliament's constitution (media)

The Kosovo Justice Institute (KJI) has urged MPs to swiftly constitution the Assembly to restore institutional legitimacy and stability. Delays, the institute warns, are deepening Kosovo’s institutional crisis and undermining democratic operation. The primary responsibility, IKD asserts, rests with VetEvendosje (LVV), urging the party to propose a candidate agreeable to others or reach a political compromise.

KJI stressed the importance of setting aside partisan and personal animosities in favor of democratic values and the rule of law. The ongoing parliamentary paralysis is not merely political maneuvering, it is an institutional breakdown that leaves critical bodies like the Ombudsman, Media Commission, Constitutional Court, and Pension Fund leaderless and nonfunctional, seriously jeopardizing people’s access to rights and services.

Moreover, KJI highlighted a serious constitutional violation: some MPs are simultaneously serving as ministers or the caretaker Prime Minister in the Kurti II government, a clear breach of both the Constitution and legal norms, as recently confirmed by the Supreme Court.

Finally, KJI warned that repeatedly calling Parliamentary sessions every 48 hours and nominating candidates without realistic prospects, risks pushing the process past constitutional deadlines. They urged both LVV and Acting Chair Avni Dehari to assume both institutional and political responsibility to ensure the Assembly is constitutionally constituted, allowing Kosovo to exit the current stalemate and restore democratic and institutional functionality.

Bytyci: Serbian List profits from heated ethnic campaign rhetoric (Koha)

Political analyst Seb Bytyçi noted that the Serbian List benefits significantly from the escalation of ethnic rhetoric during the election campaign. He expressed these views on KTV’s “Interaktiv,” highlighting that the Serbian List effectively functions as an extension of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s ruling party. Bytyci explained that international criticism toward Kosovo for possibly blocking the Serbian List’s participation in the October 12 local elections ties back to broader international support for Vucic’s government in Serbia.

Despite the rejection of the Serbian List’s certification, carried out by the Central Election Commission (CEC), Bytyci remarked that most parties anticipate that higher judicial or electoral authorities may still clear the way for its participation. He went on to observe that all parties involved, the Serbian List, Kosovo’s government, and international actors, are essentially part of a collective “performance,” where everyone plays their own role. He further emphasized that, in the context of an election campaign, heightened ethnic rhetoric largely advantages parties that pursue ethnic politics, including the Serbian List.

Bytyci also added that not allowing the Serbian List to compete could actually benefit other Kosovo Serb parties and support genuine pluralism. He urged the international community to understand that Serb participation in Kosovo’s political process doesn’t need to mean dominance by the Serbian List alone. There are legitimate concerns, such as the List’s associations with individuals involved in the Banjska attack, that shouldn’t be dismissed without thoughtful consideration. Labeling Kosovo’s electoral setbacks as international pressure without addressing these issues oversimplifies the situation, he said.

Serbian Language Media

Elek: CEC decision discriminatory, SL to undertake all steps so candidates are certified (media)

Serbian List President Zlatan Elek said today the Central Election Commission decision not to certify candidates of the Serbian List for upcoming local elections is discriminatory and unlawful, adding that the party will undertake all necessary steps so their candidates for mayors and councilors are certified.

Speaking in an extraordinary press conference, Elek recalled that the Office for Registration, Confirmation and Financial Control of political subjects made a recommendation to CEC on August 20 to certify Serbian List candidates, but that CEC made a decision rejecting that recommendation.

Elek underlined it has been confirmed not a single candidate had the right to candidacy revoked by judicial decision, and all fines issued by respective bodies were paid.

"In the previous period, over the past two years, the Serbian List has been subjected to rigorous financial audits and ranks among the top three exemplary organizations, while Self-Determination is at the bottom of the list in terms of compliance with all legal standards", Elek emphasized.

He noted it was paradoxical that discussion took place at the Central Election Commission (CEC) session in which members unjustifiably labeled the Serbian List candidates as terrorists and claimed they were wanted. He emphasized blatant lies were uttered, adding this is a recurring narrative the Serbian people have become accustomed to, however, he added, what is dangerous is that representatives of the international community got used to that as well.

“We have said that several times publicly, also in meetings with media and international community representatives that anemic statements will not help. Obviously some are bothered by results of the Serbian List, so the votes had to be counted for a month, until a solution for Kurti’s protégé was found (in reference to Nenad Rasic) (…)”.

Elek also said it is obvious that Albin Kurti and his member at CEC, Alban Krasniqi, who is also Albulena Haxhiu’s husband, cannot forgive the Serbian List because the latter was not elected Assembly Speaker.

Serbian List Vice President Igor Simic said the complaint has been drafted already and following the conference it will be filed at the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel. He noted the CEC made the same political decision last year which “confirms that CEC is no longer an independent institution but that it is under direct influence of the regime in Pristina”. He also spoke of the change recently introduced, ahead of last elections the deadline to file complaints was 48 hours and now it is half that time.

Serbian List filed appeal to Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, expects CEC decision be annulled (media)

Serbian List filed an appeal to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel over the decision of Central Election Commission (CEC) not to certify this party for upcoming local elections due on October 12, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“The Serbian List has submitted a complaint to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel in Pristina regarding the unlawful, discriminatory, and anti-Serb decision by Kurti’s regime not to certify, i.e., to ban the participation of Serbian List candidates in the local elections”, the party said in a post on Instagram.

They added they expect the decision to be annulled, but that they also expect reactions from international representatives.

“Expecting the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel to annul this illegal Kurti’s decision, we demand that international representatives speak out and condemn the violation of our people's rights”, Serbian List said.

Serbian Democracy filed appeal against CEC decision not to certify them (media)

Serbian Democracy filed an appeal at the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel following the decision of Central Election Commission (CEC) not to certify this party for upcoming local elections, Serbian media reported.

Serbian Democracy Vice President Stefan Veljkovic said in a post on Facebook that he expects a positive answer from the Electoral Panel.

"A complaint has been filed to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, we expect an affirmative answer. No one will prevent us from defending Serbian interests in Kosovo", Veljkovic said.

Previously, Serbian Democracy assessed the CEC's decision to ban them from participating in the elections as shameful, illegal and politically motivated.

Djuric: I expect stronger pressure on Serbian List, decision on certification will not pass (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said today in reference to Central Election Commission decision not to certify Serbian List for upcoming local elections in Kosovo he expects even stronger pressure against this party, as it is clear that Albin Kurti’s authorities do not wish participation of Serbs in institutions, but also want their physical expulsion from institutions and Kosovo. Djuric said a diplomatic action of Serbia is already underway in order to mobilize the international community that may influence Pristina, adding that CEC decision not to certify Serbian List will not pass, Kosovo Online portal reported.

He added what had been seen over the last couple of years of Albin Kurti’s rule deserves not only severe sanctioning of his acts but also change in strategy of the international community in relation to Pristina.

“It has become obvious that policy of supporting Pristina institutions did not yield results and the time has come to support Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, therefore (to support) indirectly Serbia in the dialogue, as it is necessary to balance relations of power in order to achieve rational, lasting and sustainable solution”, he underlined.

Gogic: CEC decision illegal and undemocratic, SL should file criminal charges against those labelling it ‘terrorist’ (RTS)

Central Election Commission (CEC) decision not to certify Serbian List for upcoming local elections is undemocratic, illegal and part of Self-determination Movement campaign ahead of local election, wishing to score cheap political points as well as eliminate a competitor in elections in Serb majority municipalities, political analyst Ognjen Gogic opined. He told Serbian public broadcaster RTS there is no legal basis to ban the Serbian List from participating in the elections, because it meets all the requirements prescribed by law.

Rerun of a bad movie

“This seems like a rerun of a bad movie we’ve already seen. In December last year, the same scenario happened, when CEC made the same decision, which was overturned based on Serbian List appeal. The same thing will happen this time, so the question arises: why all this when the outcome is known”? Gogic asked.

He said it is undemocratic for one party to block another based on speculation, adding the motivation remains the same as last time, which is that Albin Kurti portrays the Serbian List as a ‘scarecrow’.

“All parties compete against each other in local elections, so this is an additional reason that some parties want to increase their chances of winning seats with the CEC decision. On one side we have an ideological motive, and on the other side we want to eliminate a competitor”, Gogic explained. Therefore, as he said, a high turnout of Serbs in the upcoming local elections is important.

Double standards

He pointed out that Pristina applies double standards, which is also evident from claims of some in the CEC that Serbian List is a terrorist organization.

“Igor Popovic was sentenced because he said that KLA is a terrorist organization. Yesterday, some MPs said the Serbian List is a terrorist organization, and I don’t see whether anyone will be held accountable for that. How come the claim that Serbian List is a terrorist organization does not constitute incitement of ethnic hatred”? he asked.

As he pointed out, Pristina applies double standards – when Serbs do something, it is qualified as incitement of ethnic hatred, and when provocations against Serbs occur, there is inaction.

He called on the Serbian List to file criminal charges against all those who called them terrorists.

Radojkovic: Kurti wants only “acceptable Serbs” in elections; testing West’s “red lines” (Kosovo Online)

Historian Stefan Radojkovic termed the ban on Serbian List participation in the local elections as clear pressure on the Serbian community and a message that only “acceptable Serbs” should take part in the elections. He emphasized that Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti is also testing the West’s “red lines”, adding one should not expect any significant reaction from the international community.

“Similar announcements already existed and now they have been partially fulfilled. The pressure on the Serbian community is obvious, and all of this is in line with the ideological orientation of the Self-Determination Movement. They have advocated that exclusively the local Albanian and Serb populations must decide on self-government in Kosovo and Metohija. What that really meant was that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija can participate in elections, but cannot have any connection, real or perceived, with Serbia and, of course, its institutions”, Radojkovic told Kosovo Online.

He stressed the “particular irony” that the Serbian List was labelled a “terrorist organization”. “What struck me as especially interesting is that they called the Serbian List a terrorist organization, given the history of the Albanian struggle in Kosovo and Metohija against Serbian institutions. That carries a particular irony”, he said.

Vehicle belonging to family member of Serbian List municipal councilor candidate in Zvecan set on fire (Alternativna)

One hour after midnight a vehicle belonging to a family member of the Serbian List municipal councilor candidate in Zvecan Caslav Sofronijevic was set on fire, Serbian List confirmed, Alterntavna.com reported.

In an extraordinary press conference held today in relation to the Central Election Commission decision not to certify Serbian List, its leader Zlatan Elek said the vehicle belonged to Caslav Sofronijevic, however, it was later clarified the vehicle belonged to his family member.

Kosovo police deputy commander for the region North Veton Elshani said the case was reported to police last night, the investigation is ongoing and that according to preliminary information the vehicle’s engine was set on fire.

Serbian Oil Industry again seeks delay of US sanctions (N1, RTS)

The Serbian Oil Industry (NIS) submitted an official request for another sanctions delay to the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Serbian public broadcaster RTS reported on Friday.

NIS sent the new request to the US Treasury Department for sanctions delay because the latest one-month extension expires on August 27. So far, the American administration has granted the sanctions deferral five times.

NIS was placed on the sanctions list due to its majority Russian ownership, and the company has been requesting removal from that list since March through a special petition to Washington.

Academic Plenum creates database to track dismissal of teachers who participated in protests (N1)

An informal network of professors, known as the Academic Plenum, said it launched a database to document the dismissal of teachers who participated in student and civic protests in Serbia, N1 reported.

The network issued a statement saying that principals of elementary and secondary schools, “under full control of the Serbian Progressive Party, received party directives not to renew contracts for teachers who participated in student and civic protests, if they were employed on fixed-term contracts during the previous school year”.

“Multiple teachers have reported that this is being done to eliminate ‘potential problems,’ which in practice means ousting professionals who have shown civic awareness and courage in standing up for justice and defending students and society as a whole. These teachers are being replaced with individuals lacking proper qualifications”, the Academic Plenum said.

Such practices “are no longer just political persecution but directly threaten the quality of education and the integrity of the educational system”, the network stressed. “We urge all teachers whose contracts are not being renewed to contact the Academic Plenum and log their cases in the ‘Day After’ violence database, where they can document injustices and name the school principals carrying out party orders. Only through systematic record-keeping and public awareness can we create conditions for legal and social accountability for those abusing their positions for partisan interests”, the statement read.

Opinion

Vujović in an open letter: Lucid perceptiveness of Veton Surroi – a consistent character that remains unchanged (KoSSev)

By Ivan Vujovic, Author of political part of Kumanovo Agreement, UNSC Resolution 1244, political part of Dayton Peace Accord, former head of FRY Mission to US

Veton Surroi is an intelligent advocate of Albanian national interests, often at the expense of Serbs in Kosovo. Hand in glove with a circle of Albanian intellectuals - from Adem Demaçi to today’s Albin Kurti - he “astutely” predicts the last Serbian war with the “Ustaše” and the “Šiptars.” As supposed proof, he points to slogans shouted by rebellious students and citizens - “Aco, Šiptar!” - and to Andrej Vučić’s raised middle finger and cry of “Ustaše!”

Surroi has subtly pulled symbols out of his and Kurti’s sleeves and immediately deployed them against Serbia in today’s difficult struggle of students and citizens for democracy. Once again, he trips us up from Pristina, because Kosovo’s regime has no interest in seeing democratic change in Serbia. And so, he pulls us down by the collar to the floor.

On that very floor still lies the so-called Kosovo democracy, which has failed 55 times to bring its parliament out of the electoral mousetrap in which Albanians themselves are caught. As if Surroi has not heard 50,000 Red Star and Partizan fans chanting “Vučić, you faggot,” or, ultimately, citizens and students shouting the same. None of this is cultured, but it is a fact.

No, he chooses what is politically and nationally opportune for Kurti’s regime, in order to further marginalize - and oppress - the dwindling Serbian population in Kosovo.

His commentary fits neatly into the attacks of Kosovo’s political hawks against “Shkije.” Am I also a “Shkija,” since I was born in Prizren? And what about him - the polished Albanian I once met at the Marriott Hotel on Capitol Hill - who, sensing (at the time) Milošević’s political decline and bloodshed, was handing out lessons? Though, sadly, we Serbs too bathed in that blood for a long time.