UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 13, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo holds municipal elections; 39.5 percent voter turnout (media)
Kurti: People of Kosovo once again showed democratic culture (media)
Osmani: Serbia has continuously interfered in Kosovo elections (RTK)
Terras strongly condemns Vucic’s interference in Kosovo elections (media)
Osmani mandates Kurti to form the new government (media)
NATO on Kosovo drones: Every aerial activity to be coordinated with KFOR (RFE)
Osmani invited as special guest to NATO Parliamentary Assembly (media)
Kurti commends Trump’s leadership for securing agreement on Gaza (media)
Osmani: Every girl deserves to dream freely, learn boldly, lead fearlessly (media)
FFK condemns chants against Kosovo and provocative banners at Serbia-Albania match (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Preliminary: The Serbian List wins in all municipalities with a Serbian majority (KoSSev)
Vucic: ''Convincing victory of the Serbian List in 9 out of 10 majority Serbian municipalities'' (media)
CEC: Around 95 polling stations processed, 39.07 percent turnout (media)
Vucic: Albanians “nervous” over high Serb turnout in Kosovo elections (N1, Beta, media)
Serbian PM Macut: Local elections in Kosovo of great importance for the Serbs living there (Tanjug, Blic, Kosovo Online)
Petkovic: Pristina nervous over massive turnout in Serb communities (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever, Blic)
British ambassador’s visit in North as voting begins in Kosovo (KoSSev)
Serbian MIA: An Italian citizen arrested at Merdare - a T-shirt marked "KLA" was found in his car (KoSSev)
Brave teenage girl prevents alleged abduction near Zvecan (KoSSev)

International Media:

Kosovo holds municipal elections with the governing party aiming for Pristina city hall (AP)
Kosovo’s parliament ends deadlock, but solution is swiftly disputed (PI)
From drones to diplomacy: How Kosovo’s military modernization exposes Vucic’s foreign policy contradictions (RLI)

Albanian Language Media

Kosovo holds municipal elections; 39.5 percent voter turnout (media)

Kosovo’s Central Election Commission chair Kreshnik Radoniqi told a press conference after the closing of polling stations that 791,123 people or 39 percent of the electorate voted in Sunday’s municipal elections in Kosovo. He said that the voting process concluded at 19:00 and the election process was held in calmness and in line with the legal requirements. “There have been no incidents that could threaten the integrity, reliability or the course of the process,” he said. Radoniqi also said that the vote counting process will be held in two phases: first the vote count for mayoral candidates, followed by the vote count for political parties for municipal assemblies.

Late on Sunday, the Central Election Commission announced the preliminary results for mayoral candidates. Based on the vote count so far, voters in 21 municipalities have chosen their mayors, while in 17 municipalities, including Pristina, Prizren, Peja, Gjakova and Mitrovica, there will be runoff elections. Meanwhile, the Serbian List has won in most Serb-majority municipalities, and will go to runoff elections in Kllokot.

CEC chair Radoniqi told reporters that the municipal counting centers will start the vote count for municipal assemblies on Monday and the whole vote counting process is expected to end this week.

Kosovo Police said in a statement this evening that in terms of security, the election process went calm and without serious incidents. “Kosovo Police assesses that the police operational plan was implemented successfully, thanks to inter-institutional cooperation, the work and engagement of police officers and the high culture shown by the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, therefore, it thanks all institutions, the citizens and the media for their cooperation with the Kosovo Police,” the statement notes.

Kurti: People of Kosovo once again showed democratic culture (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister and Vetevendosje Movement leader Albin Kurti said in a Facebook post on Sunday: “Today, with calmness and maturity, the citizens of Kosovo once again proved a democratic culture by passing the day of local elections with dignity and responsibility. I thank all the citizens for supporting the Vetevendosje Movement and our candidates in the municipalities. This support is our force to continue our work and commitment. But now is the time of commissioners and observers, who not only count the votes, but also protect them and the will of the citizens”.

Osmani: Serbia has continuously interfered in Kosovo elections (RTK)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Sunday that Serbia has continuously interfered in Kosovo’s elections and that this is a flagrant violation of international law. “Together with our security institutions we will do everything we can to ensure all our citizens, especially those in the north, have the right of vote and the freedom to choose guaranteed,” she said.

Osmani said that following a reaction to Serbia’s interference by the European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo, Riho Terras, other international institutions too will react. “I hope that after the reaction of the European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Kosovo, there will be many other international institutions that will react and take measures against Serbia’s violations,” she said.

Terras strongly condemns Vucic’s interference in Kosovo elections (media)

The European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Kosovo, Riho Terras, said he strongly condemns the pre-election manipulation and interference in the internal affairs of Kosovo by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He said that “state-sponsored manipulation undermines democracy. The European Union must take a clear stand: free choice belongs to the people of Kosovo and not to politicians in Belgrade”.

Terras shared a statement by the EPP Group in the European Parliament which notes: “ahead of Sunday’s local elections in Kosovo, Serbian influence and direct interference in the elections have once again become clear. Serbian Government officials have publicly declared their support for a specific Kosovo Serb political party, introduced the expansion of its social assistance scheme in Kosovo and announced short-term employment opportunities in Serbia-run institutions in Kosovo in the days leading up to the elections. The European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Kosovo Riho Terras (MEP, EPP) strongly condemns the pre-election manipulation and interference in the internal affairs of Kosovo by President Vucic. Serbia’s actions are directly aimed at escalating the already sensitive situation in Kosovo and are clearly hostile. The interference in Kosovo elections by Serbia was already a concern raised by then EU Chief Observer Nathalie Loiseau after February 9th General Elections. EU Rapporteur Terras calls on the Serbian Government to stop interfering in the Kosovo elections and allow the people of Kosovo to democratically elect their local representatives”.

Osmani mandates Kurti to form the new government (media)

All news websites reported that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, in line with her constitutional powers, signed a decree mandating Vetevendosje leader and caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti to form the new government. “This decision was taken following the official proposal of the Vetëvendosje Movement party, which won the largest number of seats in the Assembly as a result of the elections held on February 9th of this year. According to the Constitution, the mandate holder for the formation of the Government, Kurti, is obliged to submit the composition and program of the Government to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo for approval no later than fifteen (15) days from the date of the decree. Madam President wished Mr. Kurti, the acting Prime Minister, success with hope that the Republic of Kosovo will soon have a government with a full constitutional mandate,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office noted.

NATO on Kosovo drones: Every aerial activity to be coordinated with KFOR (RFE)

A NATO official told the news website that it is crucial that every activity in Kosovo’s airspace is done in proper coordination with NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, in order to prevent any tension and guarantee security.

Kosovo’s authorities said on October 8 that they received “thousands” of fighter drones from Turkey, causing strong reactions from neighboring Serbia.

The NATO official said that Turkey is a long contributor to the KFOR mission and to regional stability. But he did not answer a question by the news website under what circumstances Kosovo would be allowed to use the drones, being that only KFOR has authority over Kosovo’s airspace. “KFOR regularly monitors Kosovo’s airspace, using all its available means and resources, in line with its authority and mandate deriving from UN Security Council Resolution 1244,” he said.

He also said that KFOR remains “closely involved in this important matter and is in close contact with Kosovo’s security institutions and the Serbian armed forces on the matter”.

Osmani invited as special guest to NATO Parliamentary Assembly (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani travelled on Sunday to Slovenia where she was invited as a special guest at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly by Marcos Perestrello, President of the Parliamentary Assembly.

During her stay in Slovenia, Osmani is also scheduled to meet with her Slovenian counterpart, Natasa Pirc Musar.

Kurti commends Trump’s leadership for securing agreement on Gaza (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X that Kosovo welcomes and commends US President Donald Trump’s “leadership in securing an agreement to achieve a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the initial phase of the peace deal, bringing an end to two years of immense suffering”.

Osmani: Every girl deserves to dream freely, learn boldly and lead fearlessly (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, in a post on X on the International Day of the Girl Child, said that every girl deserves to dream freely, learn boldly and lead fearlessly. “On the International Day of the Girl Child, we reaffirm our commitment to building a society where every girl grows with confidence, dignity, and equal opportunity,” she said.

FFK condemns chants against Kosovo and provocative banners at Serbia-Albania match (media)

The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) in a statement on Saturday strongly condemned the chants against Kosovo and provocative banners with the Serbian flag over the Kosovo map, during a football match between Serbia and Albania. “These scenes are unfortunately not new in Serbian stadiums, where inciting hatred and insulting messages against neighboring countries continue to happen without sufficient fines. The FFK believes that such actions go against the spirit of sports, the principles of respect and the values that UEFA and FIFA represent. In this regard, the FFK will submit a note of protest to UEFA, requesting clear and firm measures against the Football Federation of Serbia for these repeated acts which damage the image of football and violate the principles of UEFA and FIFA,” the statement notes.

Serbian Language Media

Preliminary: The Serbian List wins in all municipalities with a Serbian majority (KoSSev)

The Serbian List (SL) party, according to last night's preliminary results of the vote count, lead with the number of votes in all 10 municipalities in Kosovo where the majority of the inhabitants are Serbs.

The SL party has over 50 percent of votes in Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan, North Mitrovica, Novo Brdo, Štrpce, Gračanica, Ranilug, Partes, and slightly less in Klokot.

In Leposavic, 28 percent of the votes were counted by 10 p.m., according to which Zoran Todic was leading with as many as 70.30 percent of the votes won.

Milos Perovic led in Zubin Potok with 81.37 votes, also by 10 pm and 66.67 percent of the counted votes.

In Zvecan, where 90.91 percent of the votes have been counted, last night, Dragisa Milovic led with 86.66 percent.

In North Mitrovica, 45.45 percent of the votes were counted, and Milan Radojevic led in that municipality with a total of 58.06 percent of the votes.

As for the municipality of Novo Brdo, 82.61 percent were counted by 10 p.m. last night. Sasa Milosevic led with 55.59 percent of the vote.

In the municipality of Strpce, Ivica Tanasijevic won 66.41 percent of the votes, and 88.64 percent of the votes have already been counted there.

In Gracanica, Novak Zivic led convincingly with 59.32 percent of the votes. In this municipality, 79.41 percent of the votes have already been counted.

In Ranilug, Tanja Antic led convincingly, with 74.03 percent, and until last night, 50 percent of the votes had been processed.

In Partes, Dragan Petkovic won 90.50 percent of the votes so far. There, 85.71 percent of the votes were counted.

In Klokot, Bozidar Dejanovic was in the lead with 43.26 percent, with 87.50 percent of processed votes.

KoSSev reported that most likely there will not be a second round in any majority Serbian municipality.

Vucic: ''Convincing victory of the Serbian List in 9 out of 10 majority Serbian municipalities'' (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said last night, after the local elections in Kosovo, that the elections were very important and that three thousand more Serbs voted than in the parliamentary elections in February, reported KiM radio.

"I want to congratulate the citizens because in 9 out of 10 municipalities where the Serbs make up the majority, the Serbian List won convincingly. We will go to the second round in Klokot, it remains to be seen who the opponent will be," Vucic said.

The President of Serbia also said that Albin Kurti tried to defeat the SL in Gracanica, but the Serbian List won convincingly in the first round and that around 12,000 Serbs voted.

"This victory is much bigger than their small victory in shooting the ball. Kurti lost everywhere except in Gnjilane," said Vucic.

CEC: Around 95 polling stations processed, 39.07 percent turnout (media)

The President of the Central Election Commission, Kreshnik Radonjiqi, announced last evening, at a press conference after the closing of polling stations, that, based on preliminary data with around 95 percent of polling stations processed, the turnout in the local elections was 39.07 percent.

According to these data, 59.75 percent of registered voters voted in Zvecan, 58.83 percent in Zubin Potok, and 45.84 percent in North Mitrovica.

47.14 percent of registered voters voted in Gracanica, 48.08 percent in Strpce, 55.91 percent in Novo Brdo, 46.90 percent in Partes, 59.40 percent in Ranilug, and 54.22 percent in Klokot.

46.51 percent of registered voters had voted in Pristina, 28.03 percent in Prizren, 38.77 percent in South Mitrovica, and 34.46 percent in Pec.

Vucic: Albanians “nervous” over high Serb turnout in Kosovo elections (N1, Beta, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said yesterday that Albanians are “very nervous” due to a stronger voter turnout in Serb-majority areas during the local elections held yesterday in Kosovo.

“Everywhere, voter turnout in Serb communities by 10 am was higher than in Albanian ones. I hope for a victory for the Serbian List and that a part of local authority can be restored to their hands,” Vucic told reporters in Belgrade.

He added that Albanians from across the region, “from Tirana and Pristina to Presevo and Bujanovac”, were “intoxicated after last night’s victory” of Albania’s national football team over Serbia in Leskovac.

“I would like tonight’s celebration in the Serb areas of Kosovo to be more important than that one. Just as they rejoiced last night, waving Albanian flags, I hope that tonight people in Serb areas will celebrate something much more significant than kicking a ball,” Vucic said.

Serbian PM Macut: Local elections in Kosovo of great importance for the Serbs living there (Tanjug, Blic, Kosovo Online)

Prime Minister of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Djuro Macut, stated that the local elections in Kosovo are of enormous importance for the Serbian people living there and called on citizens to turn out in large numbers, expressing his expectation that the will of the people will be respected.

“Today’s local elections in Kosovo and Metohija are of tremendous importance for our people who live there, but also for all of us,” Macut wrote on Instagram.

“For perhaps the first time in many years, there is a real opportunity for the will of the Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija to be verified — for them finally to establish their autonomy, in accordance with the previously concluded Brussels Agreement,” Macut emphasized.

He stated that the Government of Serbia remains committed to dialogue, peace, and institutional resolution of all issues, with full respect for the rights and interests of the Serbian people.

“That is the only path leading toward lasting stability and a future in which Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija can live freely and with dignity. Therefore, we call on citizens to turn out in large numbers and appeal for a peaceful election day,” Macut concluded.

Petkovic: Pristina nervous over massive turnout in Serb communities (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever, Blic)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated that the massive voter turnout in Serb communities across Kosovo is causing nervousness in Pristina, which is why even on election day, Vjosa Osmani is using the occasion to attack the Serbian List.

“The huge turnout in Serb areas in Kosovo and Metohija since this morning is the strongest image of Serb unity! Serbian municipalities in Serbian hands! That is why there is great nervousness in Pristina. Even on election day, Vjosa is using the opportunity to attack the Serbian List, because she knows that today we will finally see the backs of Kurti’s gauleiters!” Petkovic wrote on the social network X.

He added that the attacks on the SL due to the high turnout of Serbs will only lead to even greater participation.

“The victory of the Serb List is crucial for the survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija! That is why it is important that as many of our people as possible go out and vote today. To final victory!” Petkovic concluded.

Radakovic: More than 100 voters from N. Mitrovica transferred to other municipalities (Kontakt plus radio)

Dusan Radakovic, in front of Democracy in Action, which monitored the election process yesterday, told Kontakt Plus that more than 100 voters from the municipality of North Mitrovica were transferred to the Voter’s List of other municipalities.

“The biggest problem is that for many voters, the polling centres and polling stations have been changed, as have the municipalities in which they can vote,” Radakovic said.

He pointed out that there are more than 100 examples of people from North Mitrovica having their polling station changed, so instead of being on the Voter’s List in North Mitrovica, they were in Istok, Vucitrn, South Mitrovica, Klina, etc.

“Those people have nothing to do with those municipalities and have never lived in those municipalities, they changed their polling stations and voting municipality, so those were big problems, there were no other major irregularities,” Radakovic added.

Kosovo Online reported that he assessed that the voting process began "confusingly" and that the Central Electoral Commission is responsible for numerous irregularities, while he also stated that members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were illegally included in the electoral committees, at the request of the CEC.

“Of course, not in uniform. It’s literally illegal, but the process takes place based on the request of the CEC, it’s certainly the same in Mitrovica, or maybe in Zvecan or in Zubin Potok, I don’t have that information until this moment, but the process has really gone crazy, and everything comes from the Central Election Commission. We constantly accuse the MEC, but those people really fight to make everything legal. I think many mistakes start from the Central Election Commission,” Radakovic said.

Radakovic mentioned minor irregularities as a delay in the opening of polling stations in some villages of the municipality of Leposavic, a problem with the mobile team in this same municipality, and there was also an interruption of voting in Socanica.

“It was reported that a political subject was marked on the brochure behind the screen. The prosecutor and the police were called, but after inspection there was no report and the polling station in Socanica was opened after 25 minutes,” he explained.

British ambassador’s visit in North as voting begins in Kosovo (KoSSev)

The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, expressed hope that Sunday’s elections would mark a positive step for democracy in Kosovo, emphasizing the importance of broad participation across the territory.

“It’s so important that everyone exercises their right to vote all across the country, and I really hope that today’s going to be a good day for democracy in Kosovo,” Hargreaves told reporters during his visit to the polling station at Sveti Sava Elementary School in North Mitrovica.

As observed by KoSSev reporters on the ground, the ambassador followed the voting procedure closely, checking whether the process was running smoothly. According to our information, Hargreaves also visited other municipalities in northern Kosovo.

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

Sentic invited Kosovo Online to file a complaint with the Ombudsperson (Kosovo Online)

Deputy Ombudsperson of Kosovo Srdjan Sentic, when asked by Kosovo Online to comment on the fact that our portal was the only Serbian media outlet not granted accreditation to cover the elections, said that their institution reacted immediately and that he believes the media outlet is formally accredited.

“What I can tell you is that, as an institution, we reacted immediately after receiving information that a large number of media outlets were not accredited. That was on Thursday evening when I personally learned about it through the media, and I immediately reacted and initiated, ex officio, the opening of a case,” Sentic told Kosovo Online yesterday.

“The very next day we contacted the Central Election Commission. As you know, we also issued a public statement, as did many institutions and international organizations. We believe that was not the best possible way to handle the situation, but the fact that almost all media outlets were later accredited means that the CEC eventually corrected its decision,” he explained.

“However, we were informed that the only media outlet that did not receive accreditation is Kosovo Online, but I was also told that you are formally accredited, only that you have not received the formal decision on accreditation. What you can do as a media outlet — and I am inviting you hereby — is to submit a formal complaint to us so that we can initiate a procedure to determine why such an irregularity occurred,” Sentic emphasized.

Serbian MIA: An Italian citizen arrested at Merdare - a T-shirt marked "KLA" was found in his car (KoSSev)

An Italian citizen was arrested at the Merdare crossing after a T-shirt with "KLA" markings was found in his car, reported KoSSev, citing the Serbian MIA announcement from Saturday night.

The man in question is E.E, a citizen of Albania, who was driving a "Peugeot" car, and who, according to the announcement, was coming from the direction of Kosovo. This man was detained for up to 48 hours - due to the existence of grounds for suspicion that he committed the criminal act of inciting national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance.

Brave teenage girl prevents alleged abduction near Zvecan (KoSSev)

A 16-year-old girl from Mali Zvecan was allegedly the target of an attempted abduction on Friday evening but managed to escape thanks to her quick thinking — and the timely arrival of a family friend. The Kosovo Police confirmed to KoSSev that they have detained both individuals suspected in Friday’s incident, stating that the two men are from South Mitrovica.

The girl told KoSSev that two unknown men in a grey Golf 7 with Kosovo license plates repeatedly tried to persuade her to get into their car while she was walking from Mali Zvecan toward the town shortly before 6 p.m.

According to her account, the men first slowed down near her and asked her to take a photo.

“I refused, but one of them gave me his phone and told me to do it anyway,” the teenager said.

She explained that when she initially ignored them and kept walking, the men blocked her path. At that point, the passenger got out, pressed her against the car, and forced her to take a photo of him.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2p9rxwbw

International Media

Kosovo holds municipal elections with the governing party aiming for Pristina city hall (AP)

Kosovo is holding municipal elections on Sunday, with the governing left-wing Self-Determination Movement, or Vetevendosje!, seeking to capture the capital’s city hall amid lingering political tensions and strained relations with Serbia.

About 2.1 million registered voters are choosing mayors and in 38 municipalities and around 1,000 local council members. Preliminary results are expected by midnight, though many municipalities are likely to head to runoffs in about a month, as in previous polls.

The most closely watched race is in the capital, Pristina, where former culture minister Hajrulla Çeku of Vetevendosje! is challenging incumbent Perparim Rama from the conservative Kosovo Democratic League.

Vetevendosje! aims to build on its showing in February's parliamentary election, when it won 48 seats in the 120-member legislature, still short of a governing majority.

Voting in the Serb-majority north draws particular attention, where Srpska Lista, the dominant Serb party seen as closely aligned with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, is expected to maintain control of most of its strongholds.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mr3w76b5

Kosovo’s parliament ends deadlock, but solution is swiftly disputed (PI)

Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Dimal Basha, declared parliament inaugurated after the election of a Serb deputy speaker, despite objections by the biggest Serbian party.

Kosovo MPs elected an ethnic Serb deputy speaker on Friday, finalising the formation of a new government after nearly nine months of deadlock.

“I have the pleasure [to announce] that with 71 votes in favour, we have elected the last [deputy] leader [of the parliament] and have declared the Parliament constituted,” parliament speaker Dimal Basha said on Friday, after the vote for Rasic. “The procedure was absolutely correct. The nine MPs [from Srpska Lista] were proposed and exhausted.”

But the breakthrough was quickly challenged.

Belgrade-backed party Srpska Lista, representing Kosovo Serbs, said it objects the decision because it says Nenad Rasic, elected as the last of parliament’s five deputy speakers, is not from its ranks. None of the candidates for deputy proposed by Srpska Lista received enough votes.

Basha told the media Kosovo’s constitution does not specify to which Serbian party the Serbian deputy speaker must belong to, it only says that they should be from the Serb community.

Kosovo’s legal framework provides for the election of three deputy speakers from the Albanian community, one from the Serb community, and one from the other non-majority ethnic communities. The failure to elect an ethnic Serb deputy Speaker in late August led to Srpska Lista filing a complaint to the constitutional court. The court’s verdict, published on Wednesday, obliged the MPs to elect a Serb deputy Speaker and inaugurate the Parliament within 12 days.