Kosovo holds first elections since independence [fr] [de]

Kosovo held its first elections on Sunday (15 November) since declaring independence from Serbia last year, with unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure and low investment the biggest issues for voters.

The local polls are seen as a key test for Kosovo, which wants to establish itself as a fully functioning democracy and gain acceptance from more countries than the 63 that have so far recognised it as an independent state. 

"Today we are showing that our country and its citizens have deserved independence, democracy and the European Union perspective," said Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaci. 

Analysts say the low turnout, 45%, reflects the disappointment many Kosovars feel in their leaders for failing to improve the economy of one of Europe's poorest countries. 

"The faith is lost in Kosovo because of high corruption among the political parties," Halil Matoshi, a political analyst said. "People that vote today are mainly party militants." 

The turnout among Kosovo's Serbian minority was minimal. 

The Election Commission said there were no major irregularities and polling stations closed at 1800 GMT. 

Few expect the winners of the local elections to change the 40% unemployment rate and create jobs for the 30,000 young people who enter the job market every year. Many of them continue to leave the country to find work abroad. 

"We need water, better roads, and elevators in our apartments, which are the municipality's job," said Hasim Canolli, 60, after voting in the capital Pristina. "The independence issue is over, and people need jobs now." 

Serbian leaders in Belgrade warned their ethnic kin in Kosovo not to "legitimise Kosovo's independence". 

"When my president, my government and my church in Belgrade told me not to vote, of course I will not vote," said Snezana Markovic in the Serb stronghold of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo. 

But some voters from the Serb minority in southern parts of the country voted for their new municipalities as foreseen in the Kosovo independence plan drafted by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, but the turnout was also low. 

Around 1.5 million people were eligible to elect mayors and local councils in 36 municipalities. Clear winners will emerge only after second-round mayoral run-offs in a month's time. 

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after NATO bombs drove out Serb forces to stop the killing of ethnic Albanians in a two-year counter-insurgency war. 

Mostly Western countries have recognised Kosovo's independence, but not Serbia, its former ruler, nor Russia. 

After the war ended in 1999, elections in Kosovo were run by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). These are the first polls to be organised by local authorities. 

(EurActiv with Reuters.)

Positions

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said his Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won convincingly in 20 out of 36 municipalities in Sunday's local elections, AFP reported. 

"The victory of the PDK presents a referendum about good governance in the Republic of Kosovo," he told hundreds of his followers who were chanting his name. 

On the other side, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) of President Fatmir Sejdiu, which is the junior partner in the governing coalition, claimed absolute victory in the capital Pristina by winning the mayor's post and the majority in the local assembly. 

"It was a good day for the LDK," LDK Vice-President Lutfi Haziri told reporters, claiming that his party had also won in several important Kosovar municipalities. 

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Serbia does not recognise a single act by institutions of the so-called Republic of Kosovo, but there will be no retaliation or any consequences for Serbian citizens who choose to turn out at today's local elections in the province, Radio Serbia reported. 

Kosovo is an integral and inalienable part of Serbia, it always was and it always will be, Jeremic told TV Pink last night. He added that Serbia does not recognise elections scheduled by the government of the so-called independent Kosovo. This is a clear stand of the Republic of Serbia, based on the constitution of the country and UN SC Resolution 1244, the Serbian foreign minister recalled.

Austrian Green MEP and EP rapporteur for Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek said: "Kosovo has passed an important test of its democratic credentials by holding free and fair elections that meet international standards. I am greatly encouraged by the overall level of participation by the Serb minority, which paves the way to securing autonomy at the level of their municipalities, in line with the Ahtisaari plan. These successful elections increase the chances of further countries recognising Kosovo's independence and they give a welcome boost to the future development of the country."

"These local elections mark an important step forward for Kosovo on its path to becoming a mature democracy with a future in the EU," said Marije Cornelissen, Dutch Green MEP and observer at the local elections in Kosovo. "The peaceful process, good organisation and the relatively high turnout are a credit to all who were involved," she added.

"It is positive that many Serbs in mixed communities decided to vote despite threats from Serbia to withdraw allowances or salaries originating from its territory. Turnout and opening of election offices were however much lower in the northern area of Kosovo with a Serb majority population. This demonstrates that the EU must exert more pressure on Serbia not to interfere in the elections in Kosovo and that the Kosovo government must step up efforts to include the Serbian minority," she concluded.