Signature collection against construction of new bridges on the Ibar, large number of citizens waiting in line

In front of the Serb List offices in North Mitrovica, signature collection has begun for a petition against the construction of new bridges on the Ibar River. The petition, titled “Against the Construction of Kurti’s Bridges,” was signed by more than 100 people within just 15 minutes.

The signature gathering began at 9 a.m., and a large number of people were already present on the promenade in central North Mitrovica, patiently standing in line to sign, as reported by a Kosovo Online reporter.

Member of the Serb List Presidency, Igor Simic, stated that the large number of citizens patiently waiting in line to clearly express their opposition to the construction of “Kurti’s bridges” is the best response to claims from Pristina that the citizens support what the Kosovo Prime Minister is doing.

“These are absolutely politically motivated structures that they want to build as yet another form of pressure on the Serbian people, who only want to live peacefully in their homes. We often hear from Pristina that the citizens have accepted what Kurti is doing. I believe this is the best answer. With a pen, patiently, peacefully, and democratically, the Serbian people are expressing their position that they do not want to be expelled from here. We want to send a clear message that no one, in any way, consulted the Serbian people about whether they agree with the construction of these bridges,” Simic said.

He reminded that bridges already exist connecting North and South Mitrovica, and that they are sufficient for people to move normally from one part of the city to the other.

“This is politically motivated, aiming to pressure the Serbian people, just like the months-long practice of bussing hundreds of Albanians from other parts of Kosovo and Metohija to walk around the north and create a new image of northern Kosovo and Metohija,” Simic warned.

He called on citizens to sign the petition in the coming two days as well.

“The petition will also be available tomorrow and the day after, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. We invite citizens to come and sign the petition to express a clear stance that they do not agree with what Kurti is doing, and that we do not want Kurti to gain cheap political points on the backs of Serbs due to his pre-election campaign and his inability to form a parliament in Pristina,” Simic emphasized.

He noted that the petition will be submitted to international representatives.

“We will not submit the petition to the illegal mayor, but to international representatives who hold mandates on behalf of the United Nations and other international organizations to ensure peace and security. For years now, international KFOR forces have been stationed at the main bridge, which alone proves whether it is necessary to open new hotspots that could threaten the already fragile situation on the ground. We are doing this to preserve peace for everyone, both Serbs and Albanians, because we are convinced this is an adventure of Albin Kurti and his regime, not of citizens of any ethnicity,” Simic concluded.

The President of the Serb List, Zlatan Elek, said this morning that signatures for the petition will be collected today and over the next two days.

He added that the petition clearly reflects the unified stance of the Serbian people, rejecting unilaterally made decisions on projects that harm the Serbian community.