Spahiu: Mayors in northern municipalities have done nothing during the year of their mandate

The Albanian mayors in the four municipalities in northern Kosovo assumed office a year ago, and on this occasion, university professor Nexhmedin Spahiu tells Kosovo Online that they have done nothing in the past 12 months, however, he adds that perhaps this was not expected of them given their very low legitimacy and the fact that they found themselves unprepared in an environment where it was not anticipated they would be elected as municipal presidents.

"The only thing that has been facilitated during this time are the ordinary tasks related to extracts, ID cards, registries, marriages, divorces, death certificates... essentially, those basic municipal functions. But there have been no investments, no work on infrastructure that could be mentioned. It was announced that a stadium would be built in Leposavic to international standards because Kosovo will host the Mediterranean Games, and Leposavic is planned to be one of the cities to host competitors, and that's all," Spahiu says.

When asked about their communication with the Serbian community, Spahiu says it existed regarding the daily needs of citizens.

"There hasn't been anything negative, except for the lack of infrastructure investments, which would be characteristic of successful mayors. In fact, when it is said that they have not shown success, this applies to mayors in southern municipalities as well, whether they are Serbs or Albanians. They haven't particularly proven themselves either. In the municipalities led by Albanians, for example, nature is being destroyed, trees are being cut down in the cities, and things are being done due to corruption... So, those in the north who haven't done anything in that regard might actually be the best mayors in Kosovo because they haven't done anything, neither positive nor negative, while the others have done more negative than positive," Spahiu says. 

Regarding whether to expect that the Albanian mayors will remain in office until the regular local elections in 2025, our interlocutor says they will complete their mandates.

"The referendum on their dismissal failed. Unless they commit a crime or pass away, they will remain in office until the 2025 elections," Spahiu says.

The four Albanian mayors were elected in elections held on April 23, 2023, which were boycotted by the Serbs. The first to take office was Erden Atiq in North Mitrovica, who was sworn in on May 19, while Ilir Peci in Zvecan, Lulzim Hetemi in Leposavic, and Izmir Zeqiri in Zubin Potok took their oaths on May 25.