“We regret Srpska Lista’s statement that they will withdraw from participation in the mayoral recall vote,” the US embassy in Pristina said today.
At a press conference yesterday, Srpska Lista announced that it won’t be participating in the referendum to recall the four northern mayors, which is set to be held on April 21st.
The leader of this party, Zlatan Elek, said that the decision was influenced by the impossible conditions throughout the entire process, for which he assigned blame to the Prime Minister of Kosovo.
In addition to the fact that more than 50% of voter turnout is required for the referendum to be successful, the party was particularly bothered by the decision to install cameras to monitor the voting process. They also believe that the whole process is being deliberately delayed.
In response to KoSSev’s inquiries regarding yesterday’s decision of SL, the US Embassy in Pristina said that they regret SL’s decision to withdraw from participation.
On the other hand, they added that the U.S. position is clear and unchanged: “The United States and our partners will continue to watch this process closely.”
“We support Kosovo’s diverse, inclusive, multi-ethnic democracy and the free, fair, and legitimate elections that underpin it.”
They stressed that they appreciate the efforts made by Kosovo election officials to allow all Kosovan citizens to participate in what they described as a democratic process.
Moreover, they laid out their expectations that the government of Kosovo would be “sensitive” to the concerns of its citizens in the north of Kosovo throughout this process.
“As Ambassador Hovenier and other U.S. Government officials have repeatedly said, we believe it’s important that Kosovan citizens have the ability to exercise their right to recall elected officials consistent with Kosovo’s legal framework, should they choose to do so.”
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