Osmani: Serbs’ Election Boycott Result of Intimidation from Belgrade

Pristina, Kosovo (BETAPHOTO/ANDRIJA IGIC)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has stated that the Serbs had not willingly boycotted last week’s local elections in the north of Kosovo, but as a result of intimidation and violence orchestrated from Belgrade.

“This was not a willing boycott by the local Serbs. This was a boycott that happened because of threats, intimidation and violence orchestrated from Belgrade, implemented by the illegal and criminal structures managed by people, Serbs, who have been blacklisted by the U.S. and Great Britain,” Osmani said in an April 27 interview to Macedonia’s Television Telma.

Osmani stated that elections in the four majority-Serb municipalities in the north of Kosovo had not been scheduled hastily and that they had to be held, not because Pristina wanted so, but because Belgrade had “pressured” the Serb mayors into resigning. “Belgrade has pressured them into resigning and our Constitution envisages elections when a mayor resigns. Therefore, it was their choice to lead Kosovo into the uncommon process of early elections and, naturally, we adhered to our Constitution and best European standards,” Osmani stated.