Kosovo Referendum in Northern Municipalities Proceeds Peacefully with Low Voter Turnout

The Kosovo referendum in northern municipalities proceeded peacefully on April 21, 2024, but with very low voter turnout. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), only 253 out of 46,556 registered voters cast their ballots in the four Serb-majority municipalities of Leposavić, Zubin Potok, Zvečan, and North Mitrovica.

The referendum was held to dismiss the ethnic Albanian mayors of these municipalities, who were elected in April 2023 with just a few percent of votes after the elections were boycotted by the Serbian population. For the mayors to step down, a majority vote with a turnout of at least 50% was needed. However, the turnout was far below this threshold, with 0.91% in Leposavic, 0.26% in Zubin Potok, 0% in Zveçan, and 0.59% in North Mitrovica.

The CEC stated that the required 50% threshold was not reached, and therefore the initiative to remove the mayors has failed. CEC President Kreshnik Radoniqi said the commission took all necessary steps to enable citizens to exercise their democratic rights, despite the challenges faced.

Kosovo's main ethnic Serb party, Srpska Lista, which has close ties with Belgrade, called for a boycott of the referendum. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani accused Belgrade of exerting pressure on Serbs in Kosovo to boycott the vote, calling it illegal interference in another country's election process.

Why this matters: The failed referendum leaves the same tense status quo in northern Kosovo and its EU-facilitated negotiations to normalize ties with Serbia. Tensions between the two countries remain high, with recent incidents at border checkpoints and disputes over the use of the Serbian currency in Kosovo's Serbian-run institutions.

The referendum was supported by Western nations as an attempt to diffuse tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, who are both vying to join the European Union. "The United States and European Union are struggling to get the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue 'back on track' as both sides refuse to compromise, jeopardizing their chances of joining the EU," according to the provided summaries. No developments are expected in the months ahead as the result maintains the current tense situation in northern Kosovo.

Key Takeaways

• Kosovo referendum in Serb-majority areas had very low voter turnout, failing to meet 50% threshold.
• Referendum aimed to dismiss ethnic Albanian mayors elected in 2023 with few Serb votes.
• Serb party Srpska Lista called for boycott, Kosovo accused Belgrade of interference.
• Referendum supported by West to ease Kosovo-Serbia tensions, but failed to do so.
• No progress expected on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, maintaining tense status quo in north Kosovo.