Vetevendosje faces a reckoning
But so do all of Kosovo'e political elite: only 39% of eligible voters cast a ballot.
The morning after the elections and the big story is Srpska Lista is back winning by over 50% in nine out of ten Serbian majority municipalities. And they are leading in the tenth one Klokot. Serbs are back in the institutions at least politically.
In Mitrovica north the Serbian opposition made a good stab with Marko Jakšić coming in a distant second with 12% of the vote. Aleksandar Arsenijević, fourth with 7% behind Vetevendosje (VV).
But nationally, VV had an awful night it was a complete rebuke by voters across Kosovo. So far early results maintain a possible second round run off in Prishtina though, LDK incumbent Perparim Rama has claimed victory. VV only won in Gjilan (Gnjilan), Podujevo, Kamenica and Fushe Kosovo (Kosovo Polje).
Without winning the the major towns: Prishtina, Prizren, Mitrovica south, Peja (Peć) VV has had a steep fall from its political heights. Under these circumstances it now has to form a national government and it looks likely that will be a weak one as it will need to seek out coalition partners. but VV has already refused to with PDK or Srpska Lista. Leaving it with few potential partners. Expect snap elections soon.
Mitrovica south still seems too close to call but it looks likely the PDK will sneak in ahead prompting a run-off with VV.
Worse, the low turnout means all political parties have to contend with growing voter apathy.
But VV felt the stick yesterday of those who bothered to go vote. The ongoing political crisis, the rejection of international allies, poor governance, obsession with the north which is now fully back in ethnic Serb control. All of these things might be to blame.
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Recommendations:
Many complain of not being able to vote in the north.
The Srpska Lista’s very good results.
Vučić congratulates Srpska Lista.
It’s still not optimistic for many in the north.
