Mazreku: Municipalities in the North, like all others, should have legitimate authorities

Professor of European Law Avni Mazreku says that the municipalities in northern Kosovo, or any other municipality in Kosovo, should have legitimate authorities that emerge from a free and democratic process. Free and democratic elections and their legitimacy, he adds, depend on the will or interest of the citizens to participate in democratic processes.

When there is a boycott of democratic processes, he emphasizes, there is no legitimacy in the electoral process.

Mazreku said this to Kosovo Online, commenting on the measures presented by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic aimed at advancing dialogue, which, among other things, include the organization of free and democratic local elections in northern Kosovo.

"The process of free and democratic elections in northern Kosovo has been used by both sides for political purposes. The last elections were boycotted as a result of a specific political stance," Mazreku said.

To resolve open issues, he adds, the will of both sides is required.