The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM), Nathalie Loiseau, accused Serbia of interfering in Kosovo’s recent general election.
Nathalie Loiseau alleged that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and other officials in Belgrade pressured voters to support a specific political list, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
The EOM head also criticised Richard Grenell, the US envoy for special missions, for his remarks during the campaign. Grenell had taken to social media to dismiss Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s claims of strong ties with the US as “completely false,” warning voters, “Don’t be fooled.” Loiseau described such statements as inappropriate and unhelpful.
Loiseau noted that the election campaign was marked by harsh rhetoric, particularly from Kurti’s ruling Vetëvendosje party. She also highlighted accessibility issues at polling stations for voters with disabilities, calling for improvements to ensure inclusivity in future elections.
Despite the challenges, the EU praised Kosovo for conducting a peaceful and competitive electoral process with broad community participation. In an official statement, the EU commended the resilience of Kosovo’s democratic institutions and acknowledged the vibrancy of the campaign.
Post-election developments
Prime Minister Albin Kurti declared victory in the February 9 parliamentary elections but fell short of securing a majority. He will need to form a coalition government, though two opposition parties—the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo—have already rejected partnering with Vetëvendosje.
The EU urged Kosovo’s authorities to focus on regional cooperation, strengthen the rule of law, and protect freedom of expression. It also emphasised the importance of progress in normalising relations with Serbia.
Kosovo is expected to implement its obligations under the agreement on the path to normalisation and all past dialogue agreements without delays or preconditions. There is no alternative to the EU-facilitated dialogue.
Kosovo applied for EU membership in December 2022, and the European Commission expressed readiness to prepare an opinion on its application once formally requested by the European Council. The EU reiterated that normalisation of relations with Serbia remains a key condition for Kosovo’s European integration.
