Kosovo steadfast over mayor action despite international criticism

The international community’s reactions have caused a stir in Kosovo after tensions with Serbia rose on Friday after newly elected mayors in the north of Kosovo entered municipal buildings to start their work following recent local elections.

On Friday, dozens of Serbs gathered outside three municipal buildings; Zubin Potok, Leposaviq, and Zvecan, to block the entry of ethnic Albanian mayors, elected after Serb officials resigned en masse in December over the controversial license plate issue.

The subsequent vote was abandoned by Serbs, who represent a majority in the area, following calls from Belgrade, resulting in the lowest election turnout in Kosovo history.

Serbian president orders army closer to Kosovo border as protests start in north

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić placed the country’s army on full combat alert and ordered its units to move closer to the border with Kosovo on Friday (26 May), as tensions over newly sworn-in mayors continue to simmer.

New mayors were sworn in during the last week, while Belgrade continues to refuse to recognise their legitimacy, calling it a takeover and occupation of the north.

On Friday afternoon, barricades were set up, alarms sounded, and stun bombs were thrown. A police car was set on fire, and several officers were injured as Serbs and Kosovo authorities clashed.

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic responded by moving the army nearer to the Kosovo border and placing them on high alert.

Ambassador Jeff Hovenier then caused outrage amongst Kosovars when he Tweeted, “The United States condemns the ongoing action by Kosovan authorities to access municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo. Today’s violent measures should be immediately halted.”

The comments came after Hovenier said last week that while the elections were in line with the constitution, mayors should only enter buildings where they are welcome.

North Kosovo mayors to be sworn in amid strife with Belgrade

Two mayors elected in recent local elections in the north of Kosovo will be sworn in on Thursday, leaving just one to assume his mandate before the 30-day deadline amid ongoing strife with Belgrade.

The municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, North …

The American ambassador said he expects the new mayors to take on a technical role, not a political one.

“Given the low turnout, we would expect the newly elected mayors of municipalities and municipal assemblies to take a technical and not a political role,” the ambassador said.

This was swiftly rebuked by Parliament Speaker Glauk Konjufca, who said the Constitution defines the role of mayors.

“Anything less would be illegal and compromise our constitutional framework under which we operate. Moreover, it would be a robbery of competences, so we are a democratic state, and we are claiming to function with the constitution, rules and laws with which the society has agreed,” Konjufca said.

“But we will do our best to make everyone understand that we live in a democratic state,” he added.

Hovenier’s latest comments come alongside similar from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who called on Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti to “immediately halt these violent measures and refocus on the EU-facilitated dialogue.”

The QUINT states (the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy) also condemned “Kosovo’s decisions to forcefully enter the municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo, despite our calls for restraint.”

“We call on the authorities to withdraw immediately and reduce tensions, as well as to coordinate with EULEX and KFOR. We condemn the attacks against EULEX in Zveçan”, it was said in an announcement of the QUINT states.

QUINT also expressed concern regarding Serbia’s decision “to increase the level of readiness of the armed forces on the border with Kosovo”. QUINT countries have called on the parties for “maximum restraint and to avoid inflammatory rhetoric.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also asked Kosovo to de-escalate the situation and “not taking unilateral and destabilising steps.”

The head of NATO said he talked about this with the high representative for Foreign Policy and Security of the EU, Josep Borrell.

“I spoke with the high representative, Josep Borrell, regarding Kosovo. Prishtina and Belgrade must now engage in dialogue mediated by the EU as the only path to peace and normalisation. Prishtina should escalate the situation and not take unilateral, destabilising steps,” he wrote on Twitter.

However, US Congressman Richie Torres reacted to the stance of Blinken and the US, expressing his disappointment.

“Kosovo is an unwavering ally of the US. When the US needed countries to take in Afghan refugees, Kosovo was the first among the few to rise to the occasion. It’s disappointing to me and my Albanian constituents to see Secretary Blinken publicly attack a US ally,” he wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Kurti welcomed Germany’s Envoy for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin and in a statement he said it is necessary to respect the results of the election and it is normal for elected mayors to be able to enter their offices and carry out their work.

“Regarding yesterday[Friday], what is important to emphasise is that all we have aimed for is that the mayors of municipalities elected in democratic elections have access to their offices where they should serve the citizens. And I believe that for this, we will also have international support”, said Kurti for RTV Dukagjini.

Kurti said he has international support for his actions, which will become clear in the coming days.

Vucic, announced on Sunday that there would be talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this week, adding it would be difficult.

“Therefore, I invite once again to the conversation all those who are responsible in our society, who through dialogue can offer a chance for stability and further progress of our country”, said Vucic.

(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)