Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti accused Serbia on Sunday of interfering in last month’s elections, claiming Belgrade used various tactics to weaken Serbian political parties competing against the dominant Serbian List.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Raši?, whose party secured a seat in Kosovo’s 120-member parliament, Kurti alleged that Serbia’s interference was “hybrid,” involving financial coercion, intimidation, and cyberattacks.
“Serbia’s president has repeatedly stated that only the Serbian List represents Serbia in Kosovo. He has encouraged state and non-state actors to undermine Kosovo’s electoral process,” Kurti said. He further claimed that Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? had authorized Milan Radoi?i?, a fugitive wanted by Kosovo authorities, to orchestrate election interference ahead of the February 9 parliamentary vote.
Kurti stated that Kosovo’s law enforcement agencies had gathered testimonies from citizens about direct election interference. According to him, at least ten methods were used, including pressuring rival Serbian parties and issuing threats.
“The Serbian state apparatus made extraordinary efforts to damage rival Serbian parties, especially the Freedom, Justice and Survival Party, the Serbian Democracy Party of Nenad Raši?, and Aleksandar Arsenijevi?’s Serbian Democracy, as well as voters from other communities, mainly Roma and Ashkali,” Kurti said.
He also accused pro-government media in Belgrade, alongside Russian outlets Sputnik Serbia and RT Balkan, of spreading disinformation to influence the election.
Raši?, Kosovo’s minister for communities and returns, echoed these concerns, stating that the Serbian List, with Belgrade’s backing, used all possible means to secure the 10 parliamentary seats reserved for Kosovo’s Serb minority.
“Serbian authorities treat Kosovo Serbs as a tool for control, often fostering division rather than integration and harmony,” Raši? said.
The Serbian List rejected the allegations, emphasizing its overwhelming support among Kosovo’s Serbs.
“We are proud to stand under Serbia’s flag with the full support of President Vu?i?. Thanks to that, Serbs survive in these areas. Meanwhile, Raši? stands with Kurti, who wants to eliminate everything Serbian,” the party said in a statement.
Election observers from European institutions noted in their reports that Serbian authorities had interfered in the vote by backing one of the six Serbian parties contesting in Kosovo.
According to preliminary results, the Serbian List won nine out of the ten seats allocated to the Serb community, with the remaining seat going to the Independent Liberal Party of Minister Raši?.
