PRISTINA, Kosovo – The European Union has initiated an election observation mission in anticipation of the parliamentary elections in Kosovo set for February 9.
The upcoming vote is poised to be a significant moment for Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as his party secured a decisive victory in the 2021 elections.
Tensions with Serbia continue to simmer since Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, a move that has not gained recognition from Belgrade.
A contingent of 100 observers will be deployed to monitor the electoral process, emphasizing the ongoing EU commitment to bolster democratic practices within Kosovo, according to Nathalie Loiseau, a French member of the European Parliament and the head of the observation mission.
She highlighted that this election would reflect the diverse political environment in Kosovo.
In total, 27 political entities are competing for 120 parliamentary seats. Approximately 100,000 voters residing overseas have already begun voting through postal ballots.
The ethnic Serb minority, which constitutes about 2.3% of the 1.6 million residents in Kosovo, has assured itself 10 guaranteed seats in the legislature.
However, due to significant boycotts of the recent census, the Serb community disputes these numbers, labeling them as underestimated.
Loiseau noted the critical timing of the elections, remarking on the global challenges to democratic values and underscoring the heightened importance of a robust democracy in Kosovo.
To ensure security during this electoral period, NATO-led international peacekeepers, known as KFOR, will augment their existing force of 4,300 troops with over 200 additional Italian personnel.
This bolstered presence comes in the wake of escalating tensions, including an incident in September 2023 where Serb gunmen were accused of killing a police officer and seizing an Orthodox monastery, which Kosovo attributed to Serbia’s supposed efforts to gain control over its northern regions.
Furthermore, Kosovo attributed a November explosion that harmed essential water and power infrastructure to Serbia, although Belgrade has refuted these claims.
Both the EU and the United States are pressing for the enforcement of agreements made two years prior, which include Kosovo’s pledge to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities while Serbia is expected to recognize Kosovo’s existence in practice.
