Nearly four in five participants in KoSSev’s social media poll oppose opening the main bridge over the Ibar/Ibër River to vehicle traffic.
Out of 627 votes received over the past 24 hours on Instagram, Facebook and X, 496 — around 79 percent — answered “no”. Seventy-five participants, or about 12 percent, supported opening the bridge, while 56, roughly nine percent, said they had no opinion.
The public debate on Facebook, however, revealed a much sharper divide — between those who see the bridge as a security barrier and those for whom its continued closure remains a symbol of division.
Judging by the language, script, symbols and content of the comments, an ethnic line of division was also clearly visible in the debate.
The main bridge has once again returned to the centre of attention after KFOR began a gradual transition of its permanent presence from the bridge this August.
The European Union subsequently said that, following the completion of works, additional assessments and consultations, the conditions for opening the bridge had been met, before somewhat softening its tone in statements made yesterday.
Kosovo officials support opening the bridge to traffic, presenting it as a matter of freedom of movement and reconnecting the city, while also using messages that this would “put an end to Serbia’s dream”.
On the other hand, representatives of the Serb community in the north warn of security risks, demand clarification on the basis of which assessment it was concluded that conditions had changed, and point to what they describe as an unfulfilled requirement — “consultations with the community”.
They are also seeking additional security guarantees before the bridge is opened to vehicles. Serbia’s president has meanwhile announced that he will also write to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Read the full version in Serbian here.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
