Albanian Language Media: 

• Latest update from CEC, 99.72% of votes processed (media)

• Kryeziu: Kosovo Government has nothing to do with CEC servers or software (media)

• PDK: We prefer coalition with opposition, we rule out coalition with VV (Koha)

• PDK: We remain committed to building a stronger Kosovo (RTK)

• Abdixhiku: LDK will have 180,000 votes; will get 20 percent (media)

• Haradinaj gets letter from U.S. congressman: Proof of Kosovo-US partnership (media)

• Rasic demands increased caution from CEC during vote count (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Counting of votes for MPs started in North Mitrovica yesterday (Radio Mitrovica sever, KoSSev)

• The mast on the Zvecan fortress cut, then a new one installed - the flag is flying again (KoSSev)

• Moore: Kurti has lost the trust of the US; New government immediately to form the Community of Serb Municipalities (Kosovo Online, Kurir)

• Silent vigil for Novi Sad victims turns into heated discussion on student protests (KoSSev)

• Xi congratulates Vucic on Serbia's Statehood Day (Tanjug, media)

Albanian Language Media 

Latest update from CEC, 99.72% of votes processed (media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has updated the latest data from the vote counting of the parliamentary elections of 09.02.2025. According to the latest update made on 12.02.2025 at 22:12, 99.72 percent of the votes for the political entities that participated in the elections have been counted. From the current preliminary results released by the CEC, the Vetevendosje Movement has 40.84%, the Democratic Party of Kosovo 22.05%, the Democratic League of Kosovo 17.67%, the AAK-NISMA Coalition 7.45%, the Serbian List 4.55%, the Coalition for the Family 2.26%. 

According to the CEC, the preliminary results do not include: conditional votes, votes of persons with special needs and votes outside Kosovo. The counting of votes is also continuing for the candidates of political entities for MPs. The Central Election Commission during the vote counting process has faced several technical problems that have caused delays in the publication of the results.

Kryeziu: Kosovo Government has nothing to do with CEC servers or software (media)

Spokesperson for the Kosovo government, Perparim Kryeziu, said on Wednesday that the Kosovo government “has nothing to do with the servers or the software of the Central Election Commission for the digitalization of the election process, including reporting the voters’ turnout and the preliminary results”. “For informing the public, the CEC received servers and additional equipment for the Counting and Results Center as a donation from Germany, while the procurement of the software for the CEC was done by the OSCE, also a donation … Accusations against the government over the technical problems of the digital system of the CEC are low efforts to cause confusion and lower the trust in the election process and its result. We thank the people for their great turnout in the February 9 elections, the high level of civilization shown throughout the voting process and the civic activism to report any mishaps or mistakes seen during the vote count. Everyone’s vote will be protected and the will of the people will not be alienated,” he said.

PDK: We prefer coalition with opposition, we rule out coalition with VV (Koha)

Senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Vlora Citaku, told a press conference on Wednesday that this party prefers a coalition with the opposition parties and that it rules out a potential coalition with the Kurti-led Vetevendosje Movement. “However, the constitutional and legal steps are clear; the vote counting process must end followed by the legitimization of new MPs and then consultations and talks with eventual partners of a coalition that would be led by Bedri Hamza [PDK’s candidate for Prime Minister],” she said.

Citaku also said that “every political decision of the PDK will be made by the party bodies based on the interest of the people. We are ready to assume responsibility for governing the country. The integrity of the election process must be protected. We call on the CEC to make sure that every vote is accurately counted, guaranteeing that the will of the people will be respected. Kosovo has held a model democratic process, and it should end as one. We will wait for the constitutional procedures and the process needs to be finalized with integrity”. 

PDK: We remain committed to building a stronger Kosovo (RTK)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) held on Wednesday its first leadership meeting after the general elections of February 9. They assesed positively the election campaign and discussed the party's future political steps. "Over 200 thousand citizens have given us their trust, confirming the Democratic Party of Kosovo as the main force on the country's political scene. This is a great vote of confidence and a responsibility that we take with full seriousness to continue our mission for a better Kosovo," said the PDK leader Memli Krasniqi.

It is further noted that the candidate for prime minister, Bedri Hamza, stressed that every political decision of the PDK will be made responsibly, based on the interest of people and the vision for a responsible and developmental governance. "The members of the PDK leadership expressed full support for the party's further political steps, confirming the commitment to building a stronger and fairer Kosovo for all citizens," the announcement states.

Abdixhiku: LDK will have 180,000 votes; will get 20 percent (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that when the final count is over, the LDK will have 180,000 votes and will get 20 percent of the total vote from the February 9 parliamentary elections. “Regardless of everything, as I’ve told a press conference on election night, this result is not the result of change for Kosovo, because the people of Kosovo have other preferences. We respect this. I will respect these preferences … My positions and those of the LDK that we announced before the elections remain our pledges to this day. Let us get used to politics where keeping one’s word is a basic standard and where getting to power by any means is not the objective!” Abdixhiku said.

Haradinaj gets letter from U.S. congressman: Proof of Kosovo-US partnership (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that he received a letter from Zach Nunn, member of the U.S. Congress representing Iowa, in which the latter says they are “proud to call Kosovo a sister state”. “The bond between our people, though geographically distant, is woven with the threads of shared values such as hard work, resilience, and the determination to make the world a better place. Our mutual commitment to fostering economic development, education, and cultural exchange stands as a testament to our shared vision for a world where cooperation transcends borders. I once again thank you for your leadership and commitment to U.S.-Kosovo relations and I look forward to the tremendous work our two nations can achieve,” Nunn wrote in the letter. Haradinaj wrote in the post that Kosovo’s partnership with the United States is strategic and eternal, and that after liberation, independence and the formation of the Kosovo Army, membership in NATO remains his political and life-long priority and mission. 

Rasic demands increased caution from CEC during vote count (Koha)

The acting Minister for Communities and Returns, who leads the political entity “For Freedom, Justice and Survival”, Nenad Rasic, has expressed his fear of influence on the observer commissioners. According to him, the commissioners of his political entity are being offered money so that during the vote count, convert the votes of this political entity into votes of the Serbian List.

“I am not saying that they were stolen right now, but I know that many of my commissioners and members of the commissions from the vote counting centers have been contacted. When I say a lot, I mean from the north, and the last time I heard about it is in the Municipality of Vushtrri, that of Obiliq and so on. So, it is an organization that is visible, that there is a large organization, that has no interest in truly protecting the people, but in manipulating every vote or all the votes that are here to take absolute power," said Rasic.

Serbian Language Media  

Counting of votes for MPs started in North Mitrovica yesterday (Radio Mitrovica sever, KoSSev, KiM radio)

In North Mitrovica, the counting of votes for deputies in the Kosovo Assembly started yesterday, as well as the verification of the votes of political entities, reported Radio Mitrovica sever.

Counting of votes takes place in the Sports Hall in North Mitrovica, three days after the elections. As previously announced by CEC spokesman Valmir Elezi, the counting of votes began at 4:00 p.m.

This institution announced that after the completion of these procedures, they will start counting diaspora votes, conditional votes, votes of people with disabilities, after which the CEC will announce the final results for political subjects and candidates for deputies. It is not known when the vote counting process will be completed.

The CEC, regarding the accusations of manipulation of the election results, stated that the integrity of the vote was not violated despite the delays caused by problems with the electronic platform, and that the final results will be accurate and based on the will of the citizens.

In connection with the failure of the platform on election day, the CEC announced that it called the prosecution and other security institutions to clarify the situation and provide technical support.

According to the latest data from the CEC, there are 21 polling stations that have not been counted.

Counting of votes is being done and in in the municipalities: Decane, Djakovica, Glogovac, Gnjilane, Kosovo Polje, Kamenica, South Mitrovica, Srbica, Strpce, Vitina and Ranilug, reported KiM radio.

The mast on the Zvecan fortress cut, then a new one installed - the flag is flying again (KoSSev)

Who is bothered by the Serbian national flag on the Zvecan fortress, asked KoSSev last night. 

In 2024 alone, it was removed at least four times, recalled this portal. There was also an attempt to cut the iron mast, and it was successful this time, two nights ago. Residents noticed that there was no flag again in the early hours of the morning.

A group of citizens from the North of Kosovo, which had previously intervened on several occasions after the removal of the flag, today once again climbed to the Zvecan fortress. During the day, they erected a new, smaller mast, and the Serbian national flag flew again. 

The case was not reported to the police; however, the officers were at the fortress today, locals testified to KoSSev. That this is the case, the deputy commander of the Kosovo Police for the North region, Veton Elshani, confirmed for KoSSev. He said that around 10:00 a.m. the police noticed that there was no flag. In the meantime, the police officers managed to reach the fortress, explains Elshani, finding the local residents and the flag flying again.

"The police have no information about the alleged removal, as well as the re-installation of the flag, i.e. the mast. The case has not been opened," Elshani said.

As before, he repeats that the police "do not deal with this flag".

Moore: Kurti has lost the trust of the US; New government immediately to form the Community of Serb Municipalities (Kosovo Online, Kurir)

Ambassador Jonathan Moore, a retired American diplomat and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, stated that Albin Kurti has lost the trust of American partners and that it is high time for Pristina to fulfill its obligation to form the Community of Serb Municipalities, as reported by Kurir.

Regarding the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Moore emphasizes that normalization of relations is not a matter of recognizing independence.

“I would add that we are pleased to have a new EU envoy, Peter Sorensen, a Dane and a very experienced diplomat, who was the EU ambassador in Sarajevo. And we met nearly 30 years ago in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU leads the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. We Americans respect the fact that Serbia has its own views and perspectives towards Kosovo. As for normalization, that is a very open word, what would that concretely mean? A bit more trade, a bit more respect for various documents, hopefully less tension. And that would not mean any defeat for either Belgrade or Pristina. Normalization of relations is not a matter of diplomatic relations, it is not about recognizing independence. And I speak for myself, it is a practical matter,” Moore said in an interview with Kurir.

Kosovo has recently completed elections, and the retired American diplomat points out that it is clear that Albin Kurti has lost the majority.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/8ysjfrs8

Silent vigil for Novi Sad victims turns into heated discussion on student protests (KoSSev)

In the heart of the city, citizens gathered yesterday to once again pay tribute to the 15 victims who lost their lives in the tragic collapse of the renovated canopy at Novi Sad railway station. Around 150 students and residents stood in silence for 15 minutes, honoring the memory of the deceased. However, what began as a solemn commemoration quickly transformed into a heated public debate on the student protests in general, as well as the broader socio-political landscape in Serbia.

This marked the fourth protest and the third organized by students from the University of Pristina, temporarily headquartered in North Mitrovica. The students invited citizens to join them, and today’s turnout was notably larger, attracting people from all generations.

Silent tribute turns into open debate

Among the attendees was Marijana Perović, a student originally from Zubin Potok, currently studying in Belgrade. As she gave a statement to the media, expressing solidarity with the students in Mitrovica and those protesting across Serbia, an older citizen engaged her in an impromptu debate.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/469jete5

Xi congratulates Vucic on Serbia's Statehood Day (Tanjug, media)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian people on Statehood Day (February 15), noting that Serbia and China stood shoulder to shoulder in defence of vital mutual interests and when it comes to the main challenges in order to preserve international justice and righteousness.

"Allow me to extend, on behalf of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the people of China, heartfelt congratulations and good wishes to you and the friendly Serbian people. Under your leadership, the Serbian economy and society are developing quickly, cities and villages are being transformed every day, thereby writing a new chapter in state-building," Xi wrote in a congratulatory message to Vucic.

He noted that China highly appreciated the fact that, faced by a volatile and turbulent international situation, Serbia was advocating independence, following a trend of peaceful development and joint victories through cooperation, the press office of the president of Serbia said in a statement.

Xi thanked Vucic and Serbians for a friendly and heartfelt welcome during his successful state visit to Serbia last year.

"Under our joint leadership, the relations between China and Serbia have taken a step forward, beginning a new journey of building a community of China and Serbia with a shared future in a new era. The mutual political trust between the two countries has been strengthened further, the traditional friendship is growing stronger over time and practical cooperation is producing fruitful results," the Chinese president added.

"I attach great importance to development of Chinese-Serbian relations and I am prepared to invest efforts with you to maintain strategic communication together at high level, promote the iron-clad friendship between China and Serbia, continuously deepen and strengthen the building of a community of China and Serbia with a shared future in a new era to contribute even further to the well-being of the peoples of our two countries. I wish prosperity and peace to your country and happiness and well-being to your people," Xi wrote.