The European Union's office in Kosovo said on August 22 it is disappointed by the decision not to certify two Kosovo Serb political parties for participation in the upcoming local elections.

“We regret the position taken by Vetëvendosje during the certification process. The inclusive character of the upcoming local elections is key for the future relationship between Kosovo and the European Union,” the EU delegation in Pristina stated.

It added that political parties meeting the legal criteria must be allowed to contest the elections and for their representatives to take up posts across Kosovo through a free, fair and inclusive process.

The bloc stressed that Kosovo’s institutions must ensure that the entire certification process, including possible appeals, is conducted in line with the constitution, the election law and the principles of the rule of law.

“Any exclusion of political actors goes against the fundamental principle of meaningful democratic participation of all communities,” the EU said, pledging to closely monitor developments.

The statement followed a decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on August 21 not to certify the Serbian List — the main political force of Kosovo Serbs — for the October 12 vote.

The decision was taken after members of Vetëvendosje party, led by acting PM Albin Kurti presented documents showing that some Serbian List candidates also hold posts in Serbia’s parallel structures in Kosovo. The party has since lodged a complaint with the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP).

The CEC also blocked the Serbian Democracy party, led by Aleksandar Arsenijevic, who is wanted by Kosovo authorities.

A similar decision to exclude Serbian List was taken ahead of the February national elections but was overturned on appeal.

Serbian List, closely aligned with Belgrade, has long dominated political life in Kosovo’s Serb community. Some of its officials have simultaneously held positions in Serbian institutions that operate illegally in Kosovo, according to Kosovo media.

The party’s reputation was further damaged after its former deputy leader, Milan Radoicic, admitted responsibility for the September 2023 armed attack against Kosovo police in Banjska, Zvecan, in which one officer was killed.

In April this year, the Basic Court in Pristina issued a separate arrest warrant for Radoicic and 19 other Serbs on suspicion of committing war crimes against civilians in Gjakova during the Kosovo war. They are alleged to have been involved in the killing of about 106 Albanian civilians.