Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has not certified the Serbian List – the largest political party representing Kosovo Serbs – for the early parliamentary elections scheduled for December 28.
The recommendation to certify the Serbian List, which is backed by Belgrade, received only 2 votes in favor, 2 against, and 7 abstentions during a CEC meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
The Serbian List may appeal this decision to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP).
Members of the Vetëvendosje Movement in the CEC, Sami Kurteshi and Alban Krasniqi, were outspoken against the certification of this party and were the only ones who voted against it. During the meeting, Kurteshi stated, “I have always said that this party works against Kosovo’s interests.”
Members of other Albanian political parties in the CEC abstained from voting. This is the third time the CEC has initially refused to certify this party, as it acted similarly for the regular parliamentary elections of February 9 and the local elections of October 12.
In both previous cases, the ECAP overturned the CEC’s decision.