Elek: Unity is our strongest weapon

The security situation in northern Kosovo is extremely poor and unstable, as a direct consequence of the anti-Serb actions of Albin Kurti's regime. Serbs are faced daily with institutional violence, threats, groundless arrests, property seizures, and the constant presence of armed units which, instead of providing protection, instill fear and insecurity, said the president of the Serb List, Zlatan Elek.

In an interview with Novosti, Elek explains that the situation is not improving—on the contrary, it is deteriorating day by day—and adds that it is clear that a systematic campaign of intimidation is underway, aiming to force the Serbian people to leave.

Can we even speak of dialogue and normalization—do you personally believe in that—while an increasingly open campaign of ethnic cleansing against Serbs is being carried out?

We cannot speak of normalization when a policy of ethnic cleansing is being openly implemented. What Pristina is doing—seizing institutions, arresting Serbs, persecuting doctors, politicians, and citizens—all with the silence of the international community—is not dialogue, but diktat. Personally, I do not believe in the sincerity of this process as long as Serbs are treated as second-class citizens, as long as pressure is applied to everything that is Serbian and Orthodox in this region, and while international representatives do nothing to stop it, nor to uphold signed agreements—especially when it comes to the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.

The Serb List—and you personally—are constantly targeted by Kurti’s regime, now also through what you warn are politically fabricated charges. What is the goal behind all this?

The goal is clear—to break the political will of the Serbs, to criminalize Serbian representatives, and to intimidate anyone who dares speak on behalf of their people. When they can’t secure support for their candidates through elections, they attempt to discredit and eliminate Serb List representatives through fabricated proceedings. This is a tactic already seen under totalitarian regimes. We are not afraid, because we know that truth, justice, our people, and our state are behind us.

To what extent does the international community truly understand the position of the Serbian people, and do we have any sincere allies there?

Either they don’t understand, or they choose not to. The international community has for years turned a blind eye to Pristina’s unilateral actions, and when Serbs express disagreement—we are immediately labeled a destabilizing factor. We have very few sincere allies, but we are grateful to our state, our national leadership, and to every Serb and citizen who supports our people. Unfortunately, when it comes to international representatives, the prevailing policy is one of double standards.

Is the Serb List ready for new parliamentary elections, given that the government in Pristina has yet to be formed, and also for local elections in the fall?

The Serb List is always ready to verify the will of the people, as we derive our legitimacy solely from that will. But the elections must be free, fair, and lawful. Without political persecution, institutional violence, intimidation, or political repression. As long as people are arrested for carrying a Serbian flag or speaking their own language, the reality is that these are not democratic or normal election conditions. How can we speak of a normal process when we recall how they tried to ban our participation in elections, broke all regulations to install Rašić in parliament, and thus snatched the mandate from the Serbian people? We will stand with our people whenever needed, ready at any time and place to democratically reclaim institutions—especially in the north—which the Pristina regime and its lackeys have used for pressure and oppression.

What motivates you to remain on the front lines of this struggle?

My motivation is the people—my patients, my fellow Serbs, my family. All those who don’t want to leave because they know that Kosovo and Metohija is our land, our heritage. As a doctor, I was taught to protect life. As a Serb from Kosovo and Metohija, I have a duty to defend the dignity and identity—my own and that of my fellow citizens. This is not politics, nor a typical political struggle, but a fight for the survival of our people.

Do you see any space left for institutional struggle, when Pristina is trying to eliminate everything Serbian in Kosovo?

The institutional space is shrinking, but we will defend it to the end. The fight for institutions is a fight for survival. Without institutions that protect the Serbian identity, the exodus will continue. That is why we remain on the front lines—to defend our schools, hospitals, churches, and our people. We fight both domestically and internationally, but most importantly—we fight in the hearts of our people so that their tomorrow may be better than today. This fight is not easy, nor does it belong only to political leaders—it requires the contribution of every citizen. Unity is our strongest weapon, and only through unity can we survive and remain on our own land.