The majority of Mitrovica residents who participated in a recent survey by KoSSev portal plan to vote in Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Kosovo. However, some remain hesitant, citing nervousness, a lack of faith in the electoral process, or the belief that these are „not Serbian elections“ and that past votes have failed to bring any real change.
A prevailing sentiment among voters—whether they plan to participate or not—is skepticism. Few believe the elections will result in meaningful, positive change for the Serbian community in Kosovo.
Six Serbian Political Entities in the Running
The parliamentary elections in Kosovo are scheduled for Sunday, February 9.
Six Serbian political entities from Kosovo are vying for 10 parliamentary seats, with a total of 104 candidates in the race. The competing parties include Srpska Demokratija, Srpska Lista, GI Narodna Pravda, the Freedom, Justice, and Survival Party, the Serbian National Movement, and the Party of Kosovo Serbs.
Campaign messages from these parties emphasize the survival and future of Serbs in Kosovo, promising to improve the community’s status and secure their guaranteed rights. However, concrete plans remain scarce.
Citizens’ Voices: Doubts and Disillusionment
A significant number of citizens approached by KoSSev in North Mitrovica declined to comment on the upcoming elections—especially younger residents. Others ignored the questions altogether, regardless of their age.
Those who did respond expressed a mix of resignation and cautious optimism. While many plan to vote, few believe it will lead to positive changes.
„Change will happen, but for the worse,“ one resident remarked.
Another added, „The Pristina administration will start emulating the one in North Kosovo, and things will only get worse. They’ll just copy everything and do nothing new. And now, how will Petar Petković defend me from Kurti in the North when he can’t protect me from our own administration?“
For this citizen, the involvement of Serbs in the parliament won’t make a difference:
„It will all boil down to a decent attempt, nothing more.“
Others shared similar views. „The previous elections didn’t change anything, and neither will this one,“ said another resident.
A woman interviewed by KoSSev noted, „I’m not too optimistic about improvements.“
An older Mitrovica resident described the situation for Serbs in Kosovo as „unbearable.“
Although he fears that „we will all have to leave,“ he still hopes for positive change after the elections.
Another woman was more hopeful: „We need a fresh start. It can’t continue the way it has been—everything must get better.“
„I Won’t Vote; These Aren’t Serbian Elections“
Among those who won’t participate, the reasons varied. Some responses were brief and dismissive: „None of your business,“ „I’m too nervous,“ or simply, „I don’t know.“
One resident said he has never voted in any election because, as he put it, „These aren’t Serbian elections.“
„I’ve never voted in my life, and I never will. These elections are not Serbian. Maybe if Belgrade organized them, I would,“ he said.
When reminded that official Belgrade is urging Serbs to vote in the upcoming elections, he replied: „What Belgrade? Those are crooks. The people in Belgrade aren’t real Serbs—that’s ‘Belgrade Waterfront,’ and it doesn’t concern me.“
Another citizen argued that politicians only participate in elections for their own interests, not the people’s.
The Role of Srpska Lista
One respondent expressed hope that Srpska Lista will secure seats in the parliament, as he believes it could bring some improvements.
„Without Srpska Lista, we won’t get our jobs back. Things will improve—they’ll restore jobs, the judiciary, and the police,“ he said. He lamented the 2022 withdrawal of Serbs from Kosovo’s institutions but blamed it on President Vučić’s decision.
A Difficult Path Forward
At a campaign event, Srpska Lista promised to fight against „illegal bases“ in the North and to reopen Serbian institutions. However, not everyone is optimistic.
„I don’t see that happening because the Albanian side has taken over Serbian institutions. It will be harder now,“ a KoSSev interviewee said. Still, she believes change is possible if „the Serbian voice is heard louder.“
„But I think neither side has done enough for the Serbian community in North Kosovo. I’m not sure how they will advocate for us after the elections if they haven’t done so during the campaign,“ she added.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
