Judging from the election campaign so far, political parties have openly reflected insecurity regarding the final result of upcoming elections, says the paper’s editor-in-chief Arbana Xharra. This year’s elections, apart from being a challenge for leaders, are also a challenge for political parties which will most likely undergo a reconfiguration process in case of a defeat. “Someone is fighting for survival and someone for increasing votes”, she claims. The two biggest parties, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), are leading contrasting campaigns.

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Kosovo, Ian Cliff, is convinced that Kosovo needs new political faces, especially those who intend to bring economic development. He said that the outgoing government has failed to create prospects for the youth. Even though he openly criticizes the failure to complete election reform, he requests all parties not to manipulate votes, warning that there will be consequences. Also in the interview, Cliff says the dialogue with Serbia should continue, no matter who will be heading the future government.

Mayors of Serb-majority municipalities held a joint meeting in Mitrovica and warned that conditions for the participation of Serbs in the 8 June elections have not yet been met. Mayors Goran Rakic (Mitrovica North), Dragan Jablanovic (Leposavic/Leposaviq), Stevan Vulovic (Zubin Potok), Dragan Nikolic (Partesh/Partes), Gradimir Mikic (Ranilug/Ranillug), and Srecko Spasic (Kllokot/Klokot), said the basic principles of democracy and European values are still being violated.

Kosovo Serb political representatives are divided over participation in the 8 June parliamentary elections. Serb politicians in northern Kosovo are threatening to boycott the elections if the Central Election Committee (CEC) does not remove the logo of the “state of Kosovo” from voting ballots. On the other hand, other Serb political representatives say they will continue their election campaigns and participate in the elections regardless of the decision by the Serbian List. CEC officials told the paper they would not remove the logo from the ballot and this is their final position.

The paper notes that Serbia and other countries that don’t support Kosovo’s independence are using the participation of Albanians in the Syrian conflict to portray Kosovo as a country with terrorism problems. For the second time now, the participation of Kosovars in the conflict was discussed at the United Nations Security Council. Kosovo’s European Integration Minister, Vlora Citaku, said this is seriously damaging Kosovo’s image. “We knew from the beginning that our opponents would use this argument against Kosovo and will try to portray it as a source of terrorism.