Kosovo to vote on removing mayors in Serb-dominated north

The four ethnic Albanian mayors were elected last year in April, in elections marked by a 3.45% turnout following a boycott by the Serbian List party (Srpska lista) in northern Kosovo. As many as 30 NATO soldiers were injured while confronting ethnic Serb protesters after the newly-elected mayors attempted to take office.

CEC approved the referendum after verification of the signatures collected in petitions from North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposaviq, and Zubin Potok, CEC said in a press release on Friday.

The European Union has consistently advocated for a new election, citing the lack of inclusivity for the Serbs in the process.

EU Ambassador in Kosovo Tomas Szunyog welcomed the decision, taking to social media platform X to offer EU support throughout the process.

The referendum was also welcomed by the head of the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) in Kosovo, Michael Davenport. "Important now for the process to be conducted fairly, inclusively and transparently," Davenport wrote on X.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Serbia has consistently refused to recognize.

The European Union has said it views normalisation of the dialogue with Serbia as a key point to Kosovo’s EU accession.