CoE PACE observers note Serbian interference in Kosovo parliamentary elections

Election monitors from the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly have reported significant external influence from Belgrade during the recent parliamentary elections in Kosovo. The delegation observed that Serbian authorities actively pressured the ethnic Serb population in Kosovo to support specific political entities, undermining the democratic process. According to the observers, this interference created an uneven playing field and restricted the ability of voters to make independent choices. The report highlights concerns regarding the intimidation of political rivals and the manipulation of campaign environments within Serb-majority municipalities. These findings suggest that the electoral integrity was compromised by cross-border political maneuvering. The Council of Europe officials have called for immediate reforms to ensure that future voting procedures remain free from such foreign pressures.

The report underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions and highlights critical challenges to democratic sovereignty and electoral independence in the Western Balkans.