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Non-certification of the Serbian List for elections, internationals condemn the decision: Such actions risk undermining the earned reputation
2025-12-03 11:07:46 / KOSOVA
The international community has condemned the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Kosovo not to certify the Serbian List for the early parliamentary elections on December 28.
The United States Embassy in Pristina said on Facebook on Wednesday that the Vetëvendosje Movement's efforts to block the certification of the Serbian List "are short-sighted and divisive."
The European Union Office in Pristina said that "the politicization of the CEC by the Vetevendosje Movement and other political parties is detrimental to the inclusive electoral process."
The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, said he feels "concerned" about the latest attempt by political actors to prevent the Serbian List from participating in the electoral processes, Radio Free Europe reports.
"Such actions risk undermining Kosovo's hard-won reputation as a multi-ethnic democracy and damaging relations with its close partners," Hargreaves said on Facebook.
During a meeting on Tuesday afternoon, CEC members did not certify the Serbian List, which is the largest party of Kosovo Serbs, and, at the same time, is the only one that enjoys the support of Belgrade.
The recommendation for her certification received only 2 votes in favor, 2 members voted against and 7 abstained. The Vetëvendosje Movement members on the CEC, Sami Kurteshi and Alban Krasniqi, were the only ones to vote against.
Kurteshi said during the meeting that “I have always said that this party works against the interests of Kosovo.” Members of other Albanian political parties on the CEC, from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Democratic League of Kosovo, and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, abstained from voting.
The Serbian List can appeal this decision to the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP).
The US Embassy also warned that such decisions would affect US relations with Kosovo, including the suspended Strategic Dialogue.
"All citizens of Kosovo should be able to exercise their democratic rights. Such actions undermine Kosovo's stability and US interests, including the resumption of our strategic dialogue to advance opportunities for American and Kosovar businesses," she said.
The US suspended the launch of the Strategic Dialogue in September, citing the actions of the Government led by the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, which, according to it, have "increased tensions and instability."
Earlier, the commission's decision was also criticized by Serbia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo, which said it was "deeply disappointed and concerned."
The OSCE stressed that it is "seriously concerned about the increasing political polarization within the CEC, which is reflected in voting behavior that appears to be guided by party interests, rather than by legal criteria and democratic principles."
"Such behavior undermines the impartiality and credibility that are essential for an independent election administration body," she said.
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric described the CEC's decision as "completely unacceptable."
"This shows not only a lack of democratic capacities, but also a completely unacceptable attitude towards an entire national community," Djuric said in Washington in a conversation with journalists from Serbia.
The head of Serbian diplomacy added that he hopes that, with the support of the international community, this decision will be reviewed, just like in previous elections.
This is the third time that the CEC has not initially certified this party, as it did similarly for the regular parliamentary elections of February 9 and the local elections of October 12.
In both previous cases, the ECAP had overturned the CEC's decision. In the February 9 elections, the Serbian List won 9 out of 10 seats guaranteed for the Serbian minority in the Kosovo Assembly.
Meanwhile, it won all 10 Serb-majority municipalities in October local elections, returning to power after abandoning Kosovo's institutions in 2022. Kosovo will hold early elections this month because the ruling party of the incumbent Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, the Vetevendosje Movement, failed in two attempts to gain parliamentary support for a new mandate.
She won the February 9 elections, but 48 seats in the Assembly were insufficient to govern alone and she did not find a partner to form even a minority government of 61 seats in the Assembly.
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