Voters in Kosovo’s Serb-majority municipalities are participating in special local elections to select new mayors.
Despite a boycott by political parties representing Kosovo Serbs, polling stations are open in North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposavic, and Zvecan municipalities.
The Kosovo Central Election Commission has established 23 voting centers, including some in secure areas.
The boycott stems from concerns over election rules that make it challenging to remove mayors from office.
Security measures are in place, with Kosovo police, NATO’s KFOR, and the EU’s EULEX mission ensuring a safe electoral process.
Following the boycott of the extraordinary local elections in April 2023 by Kosovo Serbs in four municipalities, minority Albanian political parties emerged victorious.
However, their victory sparked weeks of demonstrations by Kosovo Serbs. Tensions escalated between the Kosovo police, tasked with protecting Albanian mayors, and the Kosovo Serb community.
On May 29, 2023, clashes resulted in numerous injuries among KFOR soldiers protecting municipal buildings.
In response to the escalating situation, the EU called for new local elections in the region and initiated punitive measures against Kosovo for failing to mitigate tensions.
The Kosovo government enacted legal regulations allowing for the removal of mayors through a petition and subsequent elections.
In January, Kosovo Serbs gathered enough signatures to initiate the removal process, setting the stage for upcoming elections.
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