Gogic: Holding elections, either in Serbia or Kosovo, would delay the dialogue

Political scientist Ognjen Gogic stated for Kosovo Online that calling for extraordinary parliamentary elections in Serbia, which President Aleksandar Vucic had announced were possible to happen on December 17, would result in the suspension of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"Whenever elections are underway, whether in Kosovo or Serbia, the dialogue is suspended. Therefore, if extraordinary parliamentary elections were to be called, the dialogue certainly wouldn't take place. It wouldn't just be suspended during the election campaign but until new government bodies are constituted in Serbia," Gogic says.

He adds that elections would mean postponing the dialogue indefinitely.

"Elections may happen either in December, as we've heard it's a possibility, or in the spring, as is also speculated. It's almost certain that elections will be called, and thereby, all processes related to the dialogue and the implementation of agreements will come to a halt," Gogic notes.

He believes this is "one of the reasons for calling early elections."

"I consider it one of the reasons for calling early elections because, at this moment, Serbia wouldn't gain anything either in a new dialogue or through the implementation of existing agreements. Serbia risks having the dialogue lead to other EU countries recognizing Kosovo. I believe that new elections are the most optimal choice for Serbia at this moment, which is what decision-makers are guided by in postponing all processes related to the dialogue with Pristina," Gogic emphasizes.