Igor Simić, a member of the Presidency of the Serbian List, has accused the government of Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti of violating constitutional provisions regarding the representation of the Serbian community in the Kosovo Assembly. Simić claims that the Kurti regime is disregarding regulations that stipulate the vice-presidency of the Assembly should be allocated to the Serbian community. This accusation comes amid ongoing political tensions and a stalled process for electing vice-presidents within the Assembly.
Simić alleges that the Kurti administration is intentionally delaying the scheduling of extraordinary elections until December, with the aim of garnering support from the diaspora. He argues that this delay is part of a broader strategy to manipulate the electoral process. According to Simić, the government’s actions are in direct violation of Article 67 of the Constitution, Article 12.6 of the Rules of Procedure, and a Constitutional Court ruling, all of which affirm the Serbian community’s right to propose a vice-president.
The Assembly session in question was interrupted due to disagreements over the election of vice-presidents. Simić refused to retract his statement regarding the nomination of Slavko Simić as a vice-president on behalf of the Serbian community, leading to a suspension of the session. The newly elected Assembly President, Aljbuljena Hadžiu, who also serves as acting president, requested Simić to withdraw his statement, citing it as unconstitutional. However, Simić stood firm, reiterating that the Serbian List’s proposal for the vice-presidency had been submitted in writing on August 6.
The session was further complicated by Hadžiu’s decision to conduct consultations with parliamentary group leaders without providing translation into Serbian, a move Simić criticized as a breach of constitutionally guaranteed language rights. Consequently, Simić chose to leave the meeting, stating that his presence would legitimize a violation of democratic principles.
The impasse over the election of vice-presidents reflects deeper political tensions between the Serbian community and the Kosovo government. The Serbian List, holding nine out of ten seats guaranteed to Serbs, maintains its right to propose a vice-president. The Assembly’s inability to reach a consensus on the voting method for vice-presidents—whether to vote in a package or individually—has further stalled proceedings.
This political conflict occurs against a backdrop of longstanding issues concerning the representation and rights of the Serbian community within Kosovo’s political framework. The ongoing disputes highlight the challenges of integrating diverse ethnic communities into Kosovo’s governance structures and ensuring equitable representation.
As the situation develops, the implications for the upcoming elections and regional stability remain uncertain. The Serbian List’s accusations against the Kurti administration could exacerbate existing tensions and impact the political landscape in Kosovo. The Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on Friday, with the election of vice-presidents still unresolved, leaving the potential for further political maneuvering and negotiation.
