Popovic: The October 12 elections are the most important so far; There are attempts to Albanize Serbian Municipalities

Member of the Presidency of the Serb List Srdjan Popovic emphasized that the upcoming local elections in Kosovo on October 12 are the most important so far and pointed out that there are continuous obstructions from Pristina and attempts to “Albanize” Serbian municipalities.

Speaking for TV Prva, Popovic said that the Serb List has been constantly present on the ground and in contact with citizens, stressing that these elections are crucial because of the growing pressures faced daily by the Serbs in Kosovo.

He noted that the Serb List has held several major conventions, the latest one in Lesak, with a very good turnout from citizens.

“We will continue working non-stop until October 12. We will visit citizens to motivate them to go out and vote. We are in daily contact with them and are trying to explain how important it is to take part in these elections. Our people are aware of the situation they are in and understand that the Serb List is the main link between the Serbian state and the Serbs living here,” Popovic underlined.

Speaking about manipulations with voter lists, which the Serb List has warned about — namely, the increasing number of Albanian voters registered in municipalities with a Serbian majority — Popovic described the situation as very serious, claiming that Albanians are deliberately trying to obstruct the life of Serbs in all Serbian municipalities in Kosovo.

“We expected this. They are trying to Albanize our municipalities. We have information that some Albanians didn’t even know they were listed as voters in polling stations in Gracanica,” Popovic pointed out.

He said this amounts to political engineering, adding that after the elections, the issue should be raised with the international community to discuss how to deal with such practices in the future.

“Were Serbian municipalities given to the Serbs to help them survive here, or will Albanians be allowed to disrupt the ethnic structure and eventually take them over?” Popovic asked.

When asked whether he expects election day on October 12 to pass peacefully, Popovic recalled that obstructions have been ongoing from the start of the campaign — from attempts to ban the Serb List from participating, to censorship of campaign videos, to reducing the number of Serbian representatives in local election commissions.

“There will be more obstructions, but we don’t have time to dwell on them. There are only seven days left until the elections, and we will dedicate that time entirely to voters — to explain why it’s crucial to turn out and vote. We’ll also try to mobilize displaced persons who hold Kosovo IDs to come to the polling stations and support the Serbs who have remained living here,” Popovic concluded.