As a result of the stalemate over the election of the parliament Speaker, Kosovo remains with an acting government and many issues and challenges are left open. There are a number of pressing issues pertaining to minority communities that await full treatment by a new government. Minority communities political representatives in the Parliament recently attempted to involve the President of Kosovo to have the Constitutional Court re-interpret some parts of its decision. For these and more please read in the full document:

On September 4th, the mayor of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North, Goran Rakić, announced that the Kosovo police and EULEX had informed him of an assassination plot directed at him. The police allegedly have arrested one member of the Kosovo Albanian community involved in the plot. There is now a police car stationed outside the house of the mayor. Mayor Rakić stated that he has full confidence in the Kosovo police to properly handle the situation.

While the Constitutional Court’s decision on the legality of the procedures followed in the constitution session of the Assembly of Kosovo is pending, there are uncertainties about the establishment of a government, and with the looming prospects for new elections still ongoing, one thing is certain: the parliamentary elections of June 8th were held in free and fair conditions, they generated major changes in Kosovo’s political landscape, and, with that, it has brought the composition, and role, of minority political parties to the forefront of Kosovo political and institutional life for years to come.

On 14 October, the football match between Albania and Serbia was abandoned after the 41’ minute, due to clashes that occurred after a drone carrying an unofficial Albanian flag with the inscription ‘Autochthonous’, showing territories not part of the Republic of Albania, appeared on the football pitch. Following this, there were clashes between players, as well as with several fans who broke onto the pitch.

In response to the recent disturbances surrounding the removal of the barricade blocking the primary bridge over the Ibër/Ibar River and the establishment of a so-called “peace park” in its place in the city of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, ECMI Kosovo firmly expresses its continued commitment to peaceful reconciliation. ECMI Kosovo has been engaged in human and minority rights in Kosovo for the past 15 years and remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive and stable multi-ethnic society in Kosovo. The organization’s presence in northern Kosovo has grown significantly in recent years, particularly with the establishment of an ECMI Kosovo office in North Mitrovicë/Mitrovica in 2012. Thus, ECMI Kosovo is heavily invested in this issue and remains determined to strive for the peaceful integration of all communities in Kosovo. Notable progress has been made in the last year in terms of building a constructive relationship of trust with structures in the North of Kosovo. These important achievements should not be undone by reckless acts and statements from any of the actors involved. The following policy brief presents a concise description and analysis of the events and provides clear recommendations to all stakeholders involved on building a structured dialogue as foreseen in the “Ahtisaari Plan.”

On June 8th, Kosovo is set to hold parliamentary elections after the Assembly of Kosovo voted to disband itself, amid political gridlock and an unstable ruling coalition. These come shortly after Kosovo held local elections in 2013, which brought about notable political change — especially in the larger cities — and are the first parliamentary elections where it is expected that the Serbs living north of the Ibër/Ibar river will vote in significant numbers, much like they did in the 2013 local elections. These elections are significant for a variety of reasons, not least for the fact that the Serb community will be running under a single unified list, the expected high turnout within the Kosovo Serb community, and generally the change that the election may bring on the ruling parties, after almost two terms of PDK led governments. An important change in the way minority communities are represented in the Assembly of Kosovo will take effect in these elections: the reserved seats system will be phased out, in favour of the guaranteed seats system. This switch over is expected to shake-up the minority political scene, as it will introduce a slightly more restrictive allocation of seats for minorities.