Serbs in Kosovo expect parliamentary elections in province

Oliver Ivanovic, leader of the Citizens' Initiative "Serbia, Democracy, Justice" (GI SDP), told the press that there is a strong need among Serbs in Kosovo for taking part in parliamentary elections organized by Belgrade. "I know that there is opposition to that in Pristina, and they will try to obstruct that, but their chances are slim. Serbs have their legitimate and legal municipal presidents who will, within their competences and based on available lists, have enough elements to organize the elections in the right way," Ivanovic noted. At the same time, he voiced expectation that straight after the elections, the new Serbian government would intensively turn to solving the remaining issues relating to Kosovo and continue working in full capacity on the dialogue with Pristina. Aleksandar Spiric, president of the interim body of the municipality of Kosovska Mitrovica, expressed hope that parliamentary elections would also be held in Kosovo, but that talks on that are likely yet to be held. "I believe that citizens in the territory of Kosovo-Metohija will have an opportunity to cast their ballot in forthcoming elections, and that they will be given a chance to go to the polls and choose the government that will also be determined to resolve the issues of the people living here," Spiric said. Vladeta Kostic, head of the Kosovo district, expressed expectation that parliamentary elections would be held in KiM too, noting that in 2012 both parliamentary and presidential elections were held in the province. I do not see why early parliamentary elections could not be held in 2014, especially after the signing of the Brussels agreement which led to a drop in tensions on the ground, Kostic told Tanjug.