Non-certification of the Serbian List for the December 28 elections / EU and internationals harshly criticize the CEC

2025-12-03 13:43:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Non-certification of the Serbian List for the December 28 elections / EU and

International authorities in Kosovo have criticized the Central Election Commission (CEC), which did not certify the political entity Srpska Lista to participate in the early parliamentary elections to be held on December 28.

Only two votes were in favor, from the two Vetëvendosje party members on the CEC, while the other five members abstained. The European Union Office in Kosovo expressed regret at the CEC's decision, saying that it "reflects the politicization of the electoral process by the Vetëvendosje Movement and other parties, which contradicts the principles of a fair and inclusive process."

"Such behavior is detrimental to an inclusive electoral process in line with international standards and the report of the EU Election Observation Mission ," the EU's response states.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Kosovo also stressed that it is "seriously concerned about the increase in political polarization within the CEC, which is reflected in voting behavior that appears to be guided by party interests, rather than by legal criteria and democratic principles."

"Such behavior undermines the impartiality and credibility that are essential for an independent election administration body ," the OSCE said in a statement.

American and German reaction

The United States Embassy criticized the Vetevendosje Movement, saying that "its efforts to decertify the Serbian List for the December 28 elections are short-sighted and divisive."

"VV's efforts to block the certification of the Serbian List to participate in the Kosovo elections are short-sighted and divisive. All citizens of Kosovo should be able to exercise their democratic rights. Such actions harm Kosovo's stability and US interests, including the resumption of our strategic dialogue to advance opportunities for American and Kosovo businesses ," the US Embassy said in a statement.

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Rainer Rudolph, for his part, wrote that "the electoral process must be free from political maneuvering by political actors."

"I regret the obstructive behavior of some CEC members in refusing to certify the Serbian List for the upcoming general elections. The electoral process and technical preparations for the elections must be free from political maneuvering by political actors ," Rudolph wrote.

Hargreaves: Actions damage Kosovo's reputation

The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, said that actions like this by the CEC "threaten Kosovo's reputation as a multiethnic democracy."

"I am deeply concerned by the recent attempt by political actors to obstruct the participation of the Serbian List in the electoral process. Such actions threaten to destroy Kosovo's hard-won reputation as a multiethnic democracy and damage relations with close partners ," Hargreaves wrote.

Meanwhile, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric described this decision as "completely unacceptable".

"This shows not only a lack of democratic capacities, but also a completely unacceptable attitude towards an entire national community," Djuric said. He believes that "with the support of the international community, this decision will be reviewed."

LS has the right to complain

The Serbian List, which has the support of official Belgrade, has the right to complain to the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP). This is the third time that the CEC has not initially certified this party, as it did similarly for the regular parliamentary elections on February 9 and the local elections on October 12.

In both previous cases, the ECAP rejected the CEC's decision. In the parliamentary elections of February 9, the Serbian List won 9 of the 10 seats guaranteed for the Serb minority in the Kosovo Assembly. While in the local elections of October 12, it won all 10 municipalities with a Serb majority, returning to power after abandoning Kosovo's institutions in 2022.

During its last meeting, the CEC announced that 24 political entities have applied to participate in the December 28 elections, of which 18 political parties, 3 coalitions, 2 civic initiatives and 1 independent candidate. At this meeting, the CEC certified 22 political entities. /DW