KDI: For full de-escalation, mayors in the north should consider resignations

The Kosovo Democratic Institute assessed that it was wrong for communication of the Kosovo Government regarding the elections in the northern municipalities to be transferred only to the international level, bypassing talks with the local Serbs and their political representatives, Koha reports.

KDI announced that, for a complete de-escalation, the current mayors should reconsider their resignations from their positions, in order to enable the citizens to choose their legitimate representatives.

"The resignations also enable a new election process within a short time, without procedural delays and double costs," the Institute states.

At the same time, the KDI called on all citizens of the four northern municipalities, especially those from the Serbian community, as well as political subjects who represent their interests, "to advocate for participation in the elections, in order to ensure that the resignations of the mayors do not lead to a new process, but with the same result".

"Also, the KDI reminds that the existing by-law is not sufficient for the development of the procedure for the removal of the mayors, since the procedural deadlines, the method of checking the validity of the removal request, as well as the modalities for the removal and the methods of voting have not been established. The Ministry's initiative to draft an administrative instruction is not sufficient because the preparation of acts by the CEC - as the bearer of the voting process - is also required. However, by-laws cannot exceed the legal definitions provided by the current laws," KDI said.