Serb leaders organized local elections in Zvečan/Zveçan and Zubin Potok in Northern Kosovo in May, tells ECMI Kosovo in its monthly policy brief.
While presidential, parliamentary and local elections were held in Serbia on 6 May, OSCE organized the elections in Kosovo so that Kosovar Serb dual citizens could cast their vote in the parliamentary and presidential elections. Security was bolstered to ensure a peaceful democratic process.
However, more controversial elections were also organized. While no local elections were organized in Kosovo, the Serb leaders of the two municipalities of Zvečan/Zveçan and Zubin Potok in the North of Kosovo, organized local elections regardless of the disapproval expressed by authorities in Belgrade.
Later in May, municipal assemblies were constituted in these two municipalities. However, neither Pristina nor Belgrade recognize the local elections. Instead, Belgrade has announced that temporary councils will be formed in Northern Kosovo.
