Djuric: It is unacceptable to deny the Serb List the right to participate in elections

Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, stated this evening that it is unacceptable that the Central Election Commission failed to certify the Serb List to participate in the early parliamentary elections in Kosovo scheduled for 28 December.

Speaking from Washington, where he is on a three-day visit, Djuric noted that the Serb List is the political party that enjoys the highest level of legitimacy among Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

“It is completely unacceptable to deny a political organization that clearly enjoys the greatest legitimacy among Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija the right to participate in the electoral process. This demonstrates not only a lack of democratic capacity, but also a wholly unacceptable attitude toward an entire national community — and this comes as no surprise from Kurti’s administration,” Djuric said.

The Serbian Foreign Minister, who held a series of meetings today with U.S. senators and congressmen, expressed hope that the decision of the Pristina authorities would be reconsidered with the support of the international community.

He recalled that the same situation occurred in the previous electoral cycle in Kosovo, ahead of the local elections held on 12 October, adding that Kurti’s government had then reversed its decision thanks, among other factors, to the intervention of the current U.S. administration.

Djuric stressed that he cannot imagine democratic elections in which Serbs would not be allowed to participate.

“That would amount to a complete farce, devoid of any legal relevance, and would derail any process — or attempt at a process — aimed at normalizing relations. I do not wish to burden with harsh words those who will now have to ensure, in dealings with Kurti’s administration, that such irresponsible actions are not carried out; I do not want to make their work more difficult. But it is entirely clear that this is unacceptable,” Djuric concluded.