Rapajic: The Serb List demonized in Kosovo society, undesirable partner for Albanian parties

Aleksandar Rapajic, Program Director of the NGO Center for the Advocacy of Democratic Culture from North Mitrovica, assessed that the Serb List is “demonized in Kosovo society,” which is why he would not be surprised by new pressures on the party’s leaders ahead of the upcoming local elections.

“Currently, the Serb List is not a desirable partner for any of the Kosovo parties,” Rapajic said for Kosovo Online.

He pointed out the tendency for the opposition bloc to accuse the government of cooperating with the Serb List, while the coalition around the Self-Determination Movement also accuses the opposition of the same.

“Obviously, in Kosovo society, the Serb List is demonized, and any cooperation with it is presented negatively, which is something that will only reduce the popularity of the faction that establishes cooperation in Kosovo,” he explained.

Rapajic recalled that before the February parliamentary elections, there were announcements that the Serb List would be prevented from participating, and he believes something similar could happen again for the local elections in October.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar happens again. We won’t see a direct attempt to stop the Serb List from running as a party, but there will be attacks on some prominent people from the Serb List; they will be accused of various things,” Rapajic said.

Asked whether it is possible to form a stable government in Kosovo without the participation of the Serb List, the analyst recalled that the government led by Albin Kurti served a full term.

“Obviously, it is possible, but it is not good. Especially not good for the Serbian people because a better position for Serbs cannot be achieved without participation in the government. If you do not participate in the government, you have no decision-making power, no power to change things,” Rapajic emphasized.