Simic: Not a single cent in the Kosovo budget allocated for Serb-majority municipalities — A clear message to Serbs

The Serb List voted against the proposed budget for this year, and during the parliamentary debate, the head of the Serb List parliamentary group, Igor Simic, emphasized that of nearly four billion euros — the total value of the budget — not a single cent would be allocated by any ministry to the ten Serb-majority municipalities, where no capital projects have been envisaged. This, he noted, sends a clear message to the Serb community.

Simic stated that Serb List MPs had abstained during the first reading of the draft budget in order to allow room for amendments to the law.

He pointed out that none of the nine amendments submitted by the Serb List had been accepted by the relevant parliamentary committee.

“This draft law comes to its second reading with the position that, out of nearly four billion euros allocated for 2026, not a single cent from any ministry will be invested in the ten Serb-majority municipalities. This is a clear message to all of us that someone intends, in this manner, to completely eliminate the possibility for Serbs to receive certain funds in order to improve infrastructure and their current living conditions,” Simic said.

According to him, the situation regarding infrastructure is catastrophic, which is why the Serb List had put forward what he described as realistic demands.

“From the construction of a Cultural Center in North Mitrovica to a bypass around Gracanica to improve the safety of all citizens, as well as the enhancement of conditions in other municipalities — we encountered no understanding from the committee. Not a single capital project has been envisaged in this draft budget for 10 out of the 38 municipalities where Serbs constitute the majority, and for that reason the Serb List will vote against it,” Simic stated during the parliamentary session.

The Assembly of Kosovo today adopted the 2026 budget by a narrow majority, with 62 MPs voting in favor.