The runoff elections will take place on November 9, where two main contenders will compete for the mayor’s office in the remaining municipalities.

Among those heading to the runoff are Prishtina, Prizren, Gjakova, Gjilan, Dragash, Kaçanik, Klina, Fushë Kosova, South Mitrovica, Obiliq, Peja, Rahovec, Suhareka, Viti, Vushtrri, Junik, and Kllokot.

Meanwhile, 21 municipalities have already determined winners, four more than in 2021.

Preliminary results show Përparim Rama of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leading in the capital, Pristina, ahead of Hajrulla Çeku of Vetëvendosje (VV) and Uran Ismaili of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK).

The Serbian List won in the municipalities of Leposaviq, Zubin Potok, North Mitrovica, Graçanica, Novobërda, Shtërpcë, Ranillug, Zveçan, and Partesh.

A total of 93 political entities took part in the elections, including 32 parties, two coalitions, 32 civic initiatives and 27 independent candidates.

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Kurti said that recent actions by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and other Serbian state and non-state actors “can only be described as interference in Kosovo’s local electoral process.”

“Promises of employment, the lure of financial benefits, coercion and blackmail through social welfare incentives, and statements by Serbian officials that only the Serb List defends Serbia in Kosovo – as recently stated by former Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and President Vučić himself – are repeated methods of Serbia’s interference in Kosovo,” Kurti told a government meeting.

Kurti urged the European Union to condemn Belgrade’s involvement in Kosovo’s elections and to impose sanctions on Serbia for its actions.

Vučić said in a weekend interview with Serbia’s Pink TV that “we will open 400 new jobs in Kosovo’s healthcare system and for 400 families.” He added that “this is something very significant for Kosovo, and we will do it within the next ten days so that people know we will always take care of them.”

Kurti said such actions amounted to an infringement on democracy and the sovereignty of another state.

Serbia was also accused of interference during Kosovo’s February general elections. At the time, the EU’s observation mission reported that Serbia had exerted pressure on ethnic Serb voters in Kosovo. Germany likewise accused Belgrade of meddling in the February 9 elections.

Kurti criticized the EU for failing to take action to penalize Serbia over its alleged interference.

In the upcoming local elections, the Serb List – the main Kosovo Serb party backed by Belgrade – is expected to regain control of municipalities with ethnic Serb majorities.

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