North Mitrovica: From a House „Without Its Host“ to the Return of the Majority

By: Dragana Vukosavljević

Last week, the final session of the Municipal Assembly of North Mitrovica was held in the mandate that came to power after the Serb List boycotted local institutions. Seventeen new councilors—only one of them a Serb—took their oaths on December 14, 2022, thereby assuming control of the municipality. At the time, the assembly chair, Nedžad Ugljanin, described the situation as being “in a house without its host,” referring to the absence of the majority-Serb community, which he said held executive and legislative authority in the municipality.

Thirty months later, after 928 days, the Serb List returned to power following its victory in the local elections held in October 2025. This marked the end of nearly three years during which the municipal administration functioned without participation from the majority-Serb population.

The incoming administration will inherit a municipality that experienced significant institutional, urban, symbolic, and administrative changes during this period.

From Floods to the Bridge (January–June 2023)

The first sessions of the new administration focused on local issues, particularly the floods that affected North Mitrovica in January 2023. Municipal funds were allocated for affected families, though disbursements were made only at the end of the year.

By April, the focus shifted to political matters. On April 28, the assembly voted to request the opening of the main Ibar bridge to vehicle traffic. This decision generated responses from Belgrade and the European Union, which stated that it was not the appropriate time to open the bridge.

Earlier, on April 23, extraordinary local elections were held, which were boycotted by the Serb community. A month later, Erden Atić became the first Albanian mayor of North Mitrovica, winning 553 votes. The Kosovo flag was raised on the municipal building, as well as in the assembly hall and lobby.

On May 22, Kosovo’s Minister of Interior, Xhelal Sveçla, visited the municipality and announced cooperation on matters related to welfare, education, health, security, and stable living conditions.

Other developments during this period included:

• June 1: Request for membership in the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM), approved by the Ministry of Local Government Administration.

• Ugljanin’s statement that joining AKM would protect North Mitrovica from the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities (ZSO).

• Change of the municipal seal from “Administrative Office” to “Republic of Kosovo – Municipality of North Mitrovica.”

• July 14: Municipal land near the Fire Station allocated to the Emergency Management Agency.

• July 20: Start of sealing operations targeting nine construction sites financed by Serbia, including residential buildings, a school for students from South Mitrovica, and the rectorate building.

• Installation of two flagpoles and a trilingual municipal sign in Albanian, Serbian (Latin script), and English.

Inspections and Municipal Coat of Arms (Summer–Autumn 2023)

During the summer and fall, the municipality conducted inspections of businesses and municipal facilities. Local business owners were instructed to clear public areas and obtain permits for signage.

On August 18, inspectors entered facilities used by Serbian institutions, claiming municipal ownership. These included the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, the Pension Fund, and the Mitrovica Administrative District. Store inspections were also conducted.

On October 12, reconstruction began on Albanian houses damaged in 1998–1999 in Brđani/Kroi i Vitakut. The road toward Mikronaselje/Kodra e Minatorëve
was cleared through the old Serbian cemetery near the Church of St. Demetrius. Work was halted after public objections.

On November 30, a competition was announced for a new municipal coat of arms, which was finalized in July 2024. The design, created by an Albanian artist, features the bridge, the Ibar River, Kukavica hill, and greenery.

In December 2023, a petition to dismiss the mayor was launched, and a decision was made to allocate 27,400 m² of land near so called Vojni Remont to the Kosovo Ministry of Interior. A petition by the Serb Democracy party did not prevent the land transfer.

Referendum and Language Recognition (January–April 2024)

On January 17, 2024, a petition was launched to dismiss the mayor via referendum. The process was accepted but later rendered ineffective. During the same month, plaques of Serbian institutions were removed and replaced with plaques featuring Kosovo symbols.

On February 29, the Community Committee presented its first report, recommending the construction of a multiethnic school in the Bosniak Mahala.

On March 29, the municipal assembly adopted a request to recognize Turkish as a traditional language in North Mitrovica. Turkish was subsequently added as the fourth official language on municipal signage.

On April 2, prior to the referendum, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited North Mitrovica and announced that the government was allocating an additional €4 million for non-majority communities in the north.

The Serb List did not support the referendum, citing procedural issues and the presence of cameras at polling stations. The referendum ultimately failed.

Property Takeovers and Municipal Changes (May–October 2024)

After the failed referendum, the municipality resumed focus on property and infrastructure:

• August 20: Memorandum signed to build a safe house in a facility previously constructed by Serbia for students from South Mitrovica. The metal fence around the municipal building was removed.

• Late August: Police forces took over several Serbian institutional buildings, including the former Provisional Authority of Kosovska Mitrovica. These buildings were subsequently allocated to the Kosovo Ministry of Interior.

• November–December: Additional municipal takeovers included garages, the Serbian Directorate for Construction Land and Roads, and the Directorate for Urbanism. Serbian flags and plaques were removed, and property tax registration was introduced.

Cultural Events and Municipal Developments (2025)

• January: Adoption of regulation governing use of the Sports Hall.

• February: Mitrovica promenade hosted a fair organized by the Association “Business Women of Mitrovica,” promoting cultural heritage.

• February 17: Ceremonial session marking the anniversary of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence.

• March: Infrastructure and traffic signage upgrades, including new green pedestrian crossings. Routine inspections were conducted, temporarily closing some businesses and a hospital kitchen.

• April: Plans announced for a city monument; registration of newborns and deaths resumed after a three-month suspension.

• May: Municipal takeover of the Serbian Waterworks building, Serbian Institution for Sports and Culture, and the Mitrovica Sports Hall. Allocation of several municipal buildings to Kosovo Ministry of Interior and Kosovo Post. North Mitrovica named its first honorary citizen, Veton Elshani.

• June–October: New art installation dedicated to rock musicians, formation of a Commission for Renaming Streets, establishment of a Joint Committee for North and South Mitrovica, construction of new bridges over the Ibar, school construction projects, and local elections on October 12, 2025. The outgoing assembly continued decision-making until its final session.

Handover to New Administration (October 2025)

On Friday, the new mayor, Milan Radojević, and the new majority-Serb municipal councilors will take their oaths. The outgoing municipal authorities repeatedly expressed concerns about handing over the municipality and sensitive documents. The last statement came from the same official who initially described the municipality as “a house without its host.”