Tensions are high in northern Kosovo, where Serbs in four cities are trying to prevent new mayors from being elected. Sirens sounded in the cities of North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavić and Zubin Potok this afternoon, and Serbian citizens formed a cordon around the entrances to local government buildings, preventing new mayors from entering.

Strong police forces rushed to these cities with orders to “ensure the smooth operation of the institutions.” In the city of Zvecan, the police managed to push back the Serbs with the help of tear gas and enter the building.

For his part, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in connection with the incidents in the north of Kosovo, put the armed forces on alert and ordered the advancement of army units to the administrative border with Kosovo, as reported by the Public Television of Serbia (RTS). .

It is worth noting that today about 10,000 Serbs from Kosovo were sent by bus to Belgrade to participate in a rally in support of Aleksandar Vučić, organized by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.

Due to the absence of thousands of Serbs from north Kosovo, political analysts estimate that the government in Pristina today decided to impose the election results on the so-called Serbian municipalities.

It is noted that on April 23, municipal elections were held in these cities, which Serbs, who constitute the majority of the population, boycotted and elected ethnic Albanian mayors.

The result of the elections was not recognized by the representatives of the Serbian community. Serbs are calling for elections to be held after the Union of Serbian Municipalities is established for the first time, a commitment that Pristina made in 2013 under the Brussels Agreement but refuses to honor.

Source: RES-IPE