The municipal elections, which were held with 3.5 percent turnout, once again exploded the powder keg in the Balkans. In Zvecan, a small town in northern Kosovo, the election results of the last municipal elections sparked protests of unusual violence. Even for a place as unstable as Kosovo, the last smoldering region of wars that began at the end of the last century. There are currently 80 injured..
The cause of the riots was the victory of the Albanian candidate Ilir Peci in a predominantly Serb region. Despite the town’s population of 16,650, only 204 votes were counted. Why this trivial participation? Because the Serbs boycotted these elections. They do not recognize the Kosovo nation and continue to demand the annexation of the region to the Republic of Serbia.
This is a disease specific to the region called Northern Kosovo. Because there, right on the border with Serbia, Albanians (majority in the country, more than 90% of the population) and Serbs (mainly in this northern region) converge. irreconcilable enemies Coexistence is almost impossible, and the atmosphere is sometimes unbreathable. It is a situation not only in Zvecan, but also in neighboring municipalities. Zubin-Potok, northern Mitrovica and Leposavic.
3.5% participation
The Serbian boycott (in some polling stations, such as Velje Breg, did not register a single vote all day) resulted in a very low turnout (around 3.5%) and abnormal results. Of the 204 ballots registered in Zvecan, 114 went to the polls. Democratic Party of Kosovo Under the leadership of Ilir Peci. It was the second party with the most votes. Lëvizja Vetevendosje (LVV)It received 73 votes. With the conclusion of the voting, Albanian Peci, At least 15,000 of the 16,650 residents are Serbs.
The protests did not wait. Radical Serbian nationalists took to the streets to protest the outcome and boycotted the appointment and Peci’s entry into the City Council. The riots began on Monday, when they tried to break into municipal offices. Kosovo police supported by KFOR (NATO forces permanently based in the country) repelled the attack with pepper spray. The new Albanian authorities removed the Serbian flag from the consulate and replaced it with the Kosovo flag, which the Serbs consider illegitimate.
It was precisely KFOR forces that began using batons and shields to disperse the Serbian protesters who responded by throwing glass bottles and Molotov cocktails. A barrage of objects hit a few of the security forces agents. According to local Kosovo media, 80s wounded50 protesters and 30, police officers.
In his speech on the day he took office, Ilir Peci said, “We will work to ensure that all our citizens of Zvecan, without exception and regardless of sect, can lead a peaceful life.” “I will not return to the office until the situation stabilizes”. Their latest statement came from a facility in Lipë called the Communities Office. A nearby village, mostly Albanian. “We’re fine here and there are no protesters,” said Peci, who hopes to meet with the US ambassador in the coming days. The Serbs, on the other hand, continue to show their strength in the streets and do not allow them to enter the town hall.