Kosovo’s central election commission has blocked the main Serb minority party, Srpska Lista, from participating in the upcoming February elections, citing “statements made against Kosovo’s statehood.”
The decision comes after members of the verification body raised concerns about Srpska Lista’s election platform. Sami Kurteshi, a member of the 11-person body responsible for certifying political party applications, expressed his reservations, stating, “I have my reservations and I need to express them.”
Kurteshi and other commission members highlighted that the party’s platform repeatedly referred to Kosovo and Metohija, a term used to deny Kosovo’s full statehood, instead of recognizing the Republic of Kosovo. “They never say ‘long live Kosovo’ but always repeat ‘long live Serbia’,” he added. Srpska Lista is aiming for the majority of 20 reserved seats for ethnic minorities in Kosovo’s parliament, representing about 5% of the population.
Officials also noted the party’s close ties to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and other leaders who do not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Srpska Lista has the right to appeal the decision within 24 hours to the Central Election Commission’s appeals panel. If the panel upholds the ruling, the party can then appeal to the Supreme Court. The move could further strain the already tense relations between Kosovo and Serbia, despite international efforts to normalize them.
