Antonijevic: A ban on the Serb List would have far-reaching consequences for Kosovo

Lawyer Milan Antonijevic, commenting on the possibility of banning the Serb List, said that such a “political decision” would have far-reaching consequences for Kosovo because it would be contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights.

“This would be a political decision with far-reaching consequences, and I hope it will not go in that direction. Regardless of the many tensions we have seen in the recent period, I think this is neither the time nor the place to in any way affect electoral rights, and thereby violate Kosovo’s obligations,” Antonijevic told Kosovo Online.

He added that banning the Serb List would violate not only Kosovo’s obligations toward the Council of Europe but also the European Convention on Human Rights.

“Protocol 1 of the European Convention explicitly addresses the right to vote and to be elected. I think there will be enough international pressure to prevent this from happening,” Antonijevic said.

For the formation of a new parliament and government, neither the ruling parties nor the opposition have the required 61 votes. However, neither side has considered gaining the majority with the help of the Serb List.

Antonijevic said that Kosovo is clearly in a political crisis “that must be resolved through elections,” but due to the current situation, no decision by the authorities in Pristina, nor the opposition, will be rational.

“At this moment, when there is no realistic possibility to constitute the parliament, I don’t think any decision in Pristina will be rational. Only when elections are approached can certain decisions be rational, especially among opposition politicians, counting on the constructiveness that existed in the years we remember, four or five years ago, when things really could function in Kosovo,” Antonijevic said.

He pointed out that much has been undermined since Albin Kurti came to power.

“That’s why I believe the opposition will be much more constructive in its approach toward Serbian parties, primarily the Serb List, and that we will not hear from them what we would hear from Albin Kurti if he decided to take that step (ban the Serb List). Still, I hope there will be enough pressure from the international community to prevent him from doing so,” Antonijevic stressed.

He is also convinced that the participation of the Serb List in the future executive branch guarantees stability.

“It is not possible to form a stable government without the Serb List. I think that message has been heard for many years now. That is why it is good to appeal to the authorities in Pristina in this way, not to move toward a ban and not to limit anyone’s electoral rights, especially not those who have won elections in previous cycles on behalf of the Serbian community,” Antonijevic said.

He concluded that this is the only way to ensure the possible return of Serbs to Kosovo’s institutions.