The NATO-led worldwide peacekeeping forces generally known as KFOR mentioned their 4,300-strong power can be assisted by greater than 200 Italian troopers in the course of the election interval.
The European Union has arrange an election commentary mission to observe the parliamentary elections in Kosovo scheduled for 9 February.
A workforce of 100 observers will monitor the elections, underlining “the EU’s continued help for Kosovo to additional strengthen its democratic governance,” mentioned Nathalie Loiseau, the French member of the European Parliament appointed head of the mission.
He mentioned the elections “will exhibit the plurality of Kosovo’s political panorama.”
In whole, 27 political teams will compete for 120 seats in parliament.
Around 100,000 voters registered overseas have already began voting by submit.
The Serbian minority has 10 secured seats in parliament.
According to a 2024 census, ethnic Serbs make up about 2.3% of Kosovo’s 1.6 million individuals. Serbs largely boycotted the census and didn’t settle for the figures, calling them too low.
Loiseau mentioned the elections can be held “at a time when democracies are challenged, generally threatened globally… so the significance of getting a vibrant democracy in Kosovo has by no means been higher.”
The NATO-led worldwide peacekeeping power generally known as KFOR, which has elevated its presence in Kosovo following tensions final yr, mentioned its 4,300-strong power might be bolstered by greater than 200 Italian troopers in the course of the election interval.
In September 2023, Serbian gunmen killed a police officer and occupied an Orthodox monastery in an incident that Kosovo blamed on Serbia, accusing it of organizing a plot to grab its northern territory.
Kosovo once more blamed Serbia for the explosion that broken water and electrical energy provide methods in November final yr.
Belgrade has denied each accusations, however tensions stay between the 2 neighbors.
Kosovo was a former Serbian province and declared independence in 2008, a transfer Belgrade doesn’t recognise.
Both the EU and the US have urged each side to implement agreements reached two years in the past which embrace a dedication by Kosovo to determine an Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.
Serbia was additionally anticipated to achieve de facto recognition of Kosovo.
