Albanian Language Media: 

• Kos not pleased with Kosovo’s another round of elections, looking forward to functional government (media)
• CEC: One-week deadline for political parties to form coalitions (media)
• A campaign with buses (Koha)
• Osmani: Gratitude for service and sacrifice of U.S. Marines (media)
• MEP Reuten calls for lifting EU measures against Kosovo (media)
• EU suggests Kosovo seek international cooperation in Vukasinovic case (Koha)
• Today begins RTK’s two-hour strike (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic discusses NIS future and bilateral ties with US congressmen (N1, RTS, media)
• Djuric met with Congressmen Turner and Norcross to discuss Serbia–U.S. partnership (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, media)
• Marinkovic on December elections: Diaspora return likely to boost hardline national options (KoSSev)
• Incentives, sanctions, or something else: What could unlock the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue? (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media

Kos not pleased with Kosovo’s another round of elections, looking forward to functional government (media)

EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said she is not pleased that Kosovo will hold elections again, explaining that the delay affects the ratification of two key agreements needed for the EU Growth Plan funding. Although Kosovo is implementing reforms, the EU cannot distribute funds without these agreements.

However, Kos expressed satisfaction that Kosovo’s democratic processes are functioning. She emphasized that Kosovo, despite not being an official EU candidate, is fully aligned with EU foreign and security policy and is an essential part of Europe’s future integration.

Kos added that she hopes a new government will be formed quickly after the elections, one capable of advancing reforms. She praised Kosovo’s progress, especially in economic reforms, and said she looks forward to seeing a functional and effective government that can accelerate Kosovo’s EU integration process.

CEC: One-week deadline for political parties to form coalitions (media)

The spokesperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Valmir Elezi, announced that according to the law, any registered political party that intends to participate in the elections as part of a coalition is obliged to notify the CEC about this manner of participation. “According to the Law on General Elections, political parties that are registered with the CEC and that want to participate in early elections through a coalition must notify the CEC, specifically the Office for Registration, Certification and Financial Oversight of Political Entities, that they wish to participate in the elections in this manner. The final deadline to submit this notification is November 30, 2025,” Elezi said.

He emphasized that a political party that decides to become part of a coalition is obliged to respect its rules. “A coalition may be formed by at least two political parties. A political party cannot withdraw from a coalition after it has been certified, until the election results are certified by the CEC. Likewise, a political party that is a member of a coalition cannot participate as a member of another coalition or as an individual party in the same elections,” Elezi stated.

Additionally, November 30, 2025 is also the deadline for political parties to notify the CEC, specifically the Office, that they do not wish to be certified for participation in the elections.

A campaign with buses (Koha)

Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama told a press conference on Sunday that representatives of the Urban Traffic and the Association of transporters of the private sector have announced that they will stop operating on Monday. “We have received the same warnings from other enterprises which have not received payments for months now – thus threatening essential services for people in the capital. I say with deep regret that I never believed that the people of this country would be put at risk for election interests. The budget of the capital has been used as a tool in the local elections. The elections are over. The people have voted for development and not blockade,” Rama argued.

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati reacted immediately to Rama’s remarks, saying that the December budget for Pristina was allocated on Friday but that the capital executed no payment on that day. “On Friday afternoon, the Treasury allocated the December budget for the municipality of Pristina before time, with the idea of making some payments for essential services, such as energy. But at the end of the day, the Treasury informed me that despite the allocation, the staff of the municipality finished their work that day and did not make any payment with the excuse that ‘we will do it on Monday’. Instead of paying the bills during working hours, Perparim Rama and his deputy mayors decided to engage in anti-government propaganda over the weekend, by complaining about an alleged blockade,” he said.

Murati also said that the LDK’s problem is not with the services but that they lack causes. “Because if they paid the bills on Friday, they could not continue the propaganda on Saturday and Sunday. This explains why [LDK leader] Lumir Abdixhiku and other LDK MPs did not vote on the budget for Pristina in the Kosovo Assembly. Because in the absence of real causes, they have decided not to spare the people of Pristina, hoping that someone will believe them that it is the government’s fault,” he said.

Osmani: Gratitude for service and sacrifice of U.S. Marines (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, has expressed appreciation to the U.S. Marines for their service, sacrifice, and unwavering partnership in Kosovo. In a Facebook post, Osmani wrote that she attended the Marines Ball, honoring the American soldiers who, she said, stood by Kosovo during the most decisive days of the country. “An unforgettable evening at the Marines Ball, together with our permanent allies and in honor of the U.S. Marines who have stood with us during the most decisive days of our country, and who continue to contribute to peace in Kosovo and around the world. Grateful for the service, sacrifice, and unbreakable partnership that has always united us,” Osmani wrote on Facebook.

MEP Reuten calls for lifting EU measures against Kosovo (media)

MEP Thijs Reuten has called on the European Commission to immediately lift the measures imposed on Kosovo by EU member states. Through a post on the social network “X,” Reuten also proposed that the procedure for Kosovo’s application for membership in the European Union should begin. “The European Commission should propose to the member states the immediate removal of the measures against Kosovo and start the process of reviewing Kosovo’s application for EU membership,” Reuten wrote.

EU suggests Kosovo seek international cooperation in Vukasinovic case (Koha)

The European Union (EU) has suggested that Kosovo seek international cooperation in the investigation of the attempted murder and abduction of Milan Vukasinovic on November 1 in Jellakca, Leposavic. In a response to Koha, the spokesperson of the EU Office in Pristina, Nikola Gaon, said that “the authorities may activate the Mutual Legal Assistance mechanism facilitated by the EU in Kosovo.”

Meanwhile, the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX, expressed readiness to mediate the exchange of information with Serbia’s Ministry of Interior. “EULEX is also ready to support the investigation by exchanging police information between the Kosovo Police, Interpol, Europol, and the Ministry of Interior, if such assistance is requested by the relevant Kosovo institutions responsible for conducting an effective and impartial investigation,” EULEX stated.

The Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica did not confirm whether such a request has been submitted, but said it has taken several steps to clarify the case. “So far, the victim’s mother and another close relative have been interviewed. Two of the victim’s phones have been found, one at his home and the other in his car, and both have been sent for examination,” the Prosecution stated.

The State Prosecutor in Serbia, as well as the two prosecution offices in Prokuplje, have not responded to Koha's questions regarding whether they are investigating the attempted murder and abduction of Vukasinovic. The Clinical Center in Nis, where Vukasinovic is being treated, has also not answered questions about why his family has not been allowed to visit him.

Serbia’s Ombudsperson, known in the country as the Protector of Citizens, has likewise shown no interest in the case. In a written response to Koha, the head of the institution, Zoran Pasalic, argued that neither the family nor Vukasinovic’s lawyer had requested a visit. “The Protector of Citizens visits anyone who personally, or through relatives, friends, or representatives, expresses the need to visit a person deprived of liberty. Until today, I have not received such information,” Pasalic stated.

But the family’s lawyer, Ivan Ninic, disagrees with this claim. According to him, Serbia’s Ombudsperson is obligated to take action on his own initiative. “Vukasinovic still has a bullet in his back. The mother was not allowed to visit him due to Milan’s medical condition. We did not request protection or support from the Ombudsperson because he is obliged, on the basis of official duty, to react proactively and interview him,” Ninic said.

Today begins RTK’s two-hour strike (media)

Around 700 employees of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) will go on strike from 11:00 to 13:00 due to the lack of their salaries for the month of October and the disregard of their demands. The strike will continue daily until their rights are guaranteed. The RTK Workers’ Union announced at the end of the week that the strike will involve all departments of the broadcaster and also warned of a protest in front of the government of Kosovo due to the alarming situation at RTK. “This measure comes after a long period of ignored demands and a situation that has become unsustainable, both for the staff and for the functioning of the institution; salaries have been blocked and the continuity of RTK is seriously at risk,” the announcement stated.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic discusses NIS future and bilateral ties with US congressmen (N1, RTS, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held discussions with US Congressmen Michael Turner and Donald Norcross, emphasizing that the functioning of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) and the preservation of energy security is a highly significant issue for Serbia. He expressed confidence that this matter will soon be resolved.  

Reporting the meeting on his Instagram profile, President Vucic stated that he also discussed bilateral relations, Serbia's path toward European integration, and all current regional and global issues with the US Congressmen.

"In a substantive and open conversation, we expressed readiness to further strengthen ties and overall cooperation between Serbia and the United States of America, as well as to continue dialogue on all issues of mutual interest," Vucic wrote.

Djuric met with Congressmen Turner and Norcross to discuss Serbia–U.S. partnership (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric announced that he met with U.S. Congressmen Michael Turner of Ohio and Donald Norcross of New Jersey, with whom he discussed the future of the partnership between Serbia and the United States.

During the meeting, Djuric emphasized Serbia’s commitment to building and expanding political dialogue, strengthening economic cooperation, and fostering deeper institutional ties.

“Strong parliamentary voices and the links between the U.S. Congress and our National Assembly are essential, as they contribute to reinforcing the broader architecture of relations between our countries. It is wonderful to see bipartisan support and readiness to continue enhancing our 144-year-long relationship, founded on respect, understanding, and a long-term strategic vision,” Djuric wrote on X.

“A substantive and wide-ranging exchange of views this evening with Congressmen Rep Mike Turner and Donald Norcross on the bright future of the Serbia–UnitedStates partnership. I underscored Serbia’s commitment to building on and expanding our political dialogue, boosting economic cooperation and fostering stronger connectivity between our institutions. Strong parliamentary voices and the ties between the US Congress and our parliament are essential, as they contribute to reinforcing the broader architecture of relations between our countries. Great to see the bipartisan support and readiness to continue advancing our 144-year-long relationship, grounded in respect, understanding and a long-term strategic vision,” wrote Djuric.

Marinkovic on December elections: Diaspora return likely to boost hardline national options (KoSSev)

Kosovo will head to snap parliamentary elections on December 28, following the dissolution of the Assembly earlier this week. Political analyst Miodrag Marinkovic argues that the timing, coinciding with the return of diaspora for the holidays, is a deliberate strategic calculation that could significantly influence the outcome.

President Vjosa Osmani dissolved the Assembly on November 20 after the nominee of the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), Glauk Konjufca, failed to secure the required majority to form a government. Konjufca received 56 votes in favor, 53 against, and four abstentions—short of the 61 needed. It was the second unsuccessful attempt in less than ten days, after outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti also failed to gather support for his proposed cabinet.

Kosovo now faces new elections just ten months after the previous parliamentary vote, following months of institutional paralysis.

Local institutions unaffected

According to Marinković, from the Center for Affirmative Social Action (CASA), the dissolution of the Assembly and the fact that the government is currently operating in a technical mandate will have “no impact whatsoever” on the formation of local institutions in the north.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yc3ucysj

Incentives, sanctions, or something else: What could unlock the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue? (Kosovo Online)

The phrase “progress in the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue is necessary” has become a standard refrain in the speeches of European officials, but few of them have a recipe for achieving real movement. The interlocutors for Kosovo Online offer completely opposing suggestions — from those who believe the EU could motivate the parties to be more constructive by taking long-awaited positive decisions for both Belgrade and Pristina, to those who argue that only pressure and the threat of serious consequences for failing to implement dialogue agreements can bring this process to an end.

The dialogue is in crisis, stagnant, and exhausted. Many who follow the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina — mediated by the European Union since 2011 — would agree with this diagnosis. However, they differ sharply on the key question: what methods could guarantee a “cure”?

According to Dragisa Mijacic, coordinator of the National Convention on the EU’s Working Group for Chapter 35, new energy could be injected into the process if the European Council decided to open Cluster 3 in Serbia’s EU membership negotiations, and if the Council also decided to lift the punitive measures imposed on the Kosovo government.

“That could bring the new momentum that Mr. Sørensen and Kaja Kallas would then need to sustain. Something must serve as a starting point, and perhaps this is precisely it — lifting the punitive measures on Kosovo and opening Cluster 3 for Serbia,” Mijacic told Kosovo Online.

He notes that the next European Council meeting is in December, presenting an opportunity for these decisions.

“That meeting must deliver some positive steps: in Serbia’s case, the opening of Cluster 3; in Kosovo’s case, the lifting of sanctions or punitive measures. I believe the European Council should move in that direction, even though such decisions will be unpopular in both Serbian and Kosovo societies — as they will be seen as concessions to the current ruling parties. But these measures must be lifted because they harm both societies,” Mijacic emphasizes.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/3p9tk3xk