Bratina: Pristina's practice is to prohibit Serbs from voting, and the EU and the US approve of it

Boris Bratina, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Pristina with a temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica, believes that there are slim chances for the early parliamentary elections scheduled for December 17 in Serbia to take place in Kosovo.

"Previous elections were also prohibited. It has become evident not only as a practice of the Albanians but also as a practice approved by all international community factors, whether it is EULEX, KFOR, or others who are certainly unlikely to agree to secure the elections. I doubt that Pristina will allow the voting to take place," Bratina says for Kosovo Online.

He emphasizes that if Pristina allows voting for Serbs in Kosovo on December 17, it would be a "thawing sign," but one should be very cautious when it comes to all moves made by the Kosovo authorities.

"At this moment, we must be very cautious because details that we see as signs or pre-signs of thawing can always turn the other way. We witnessed that before September 24, there was a situation that seemed to be improving, and then, after that, in one day, it seemed as if the entire state policy of the past three years had collapsed. Now we see that it is not the case, and the authority of the Serbian state is internationally more respected. However, we should know that the EU and the US are making a concerted effort to support the independence of Kosovo. They need what they are looking for, and it is in their interest to say, 'Now it's a bit better, so we will allow you to hold elections,' although I really doubt it," he emphasized.

He believes that if Pristina does not allow the elections to take place, a "tense situation" will persist.

"I think it is clear to everyone in the world what is happening here, except that some pretend to be ignorant to achieve their goals. It is important for both the Albanians and the pseudo-international community to achieve their goals, which will lead them first to de facto and then de jure recognition of Kosovo, which, of course, will not happen," Bratina concluded.