2000 Kosovan local elections

Local elections were held throughout Kosovo on 28 October 2000, organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).[1] This was the first local electoral cycle held in Kosovo after the start of the UNMIK mandate in 1999.

In each municipality, elections were held for municipal assemblies under a system of proportional representation. The elected representatives in each jurisdiction were responsible for choosing an assembly president, who held the rank of mayor.

The Serb community of Kosovo generally boycotted the vote. Local Serb leaders expressed concern that security conditions had not improved to the point where Serbs could safely return to their homes; Dragiša Milović, acting as a spokesperson for Oliver Ivanović, said that Serbs in northern Kosovo would "[would] not register or take part in the vote until Serbs start returning to Kosovo in bigger numbers."[2] A Council of Europe report indicated that Serb non-participation was the "main drawback of the elections," blaming the situation in part on "pressure brought to bear by Belgrade." The fall of Slobodan Milošević's government, which took place in the middle of the campaign, was described as occurring too late to effect any change in this situation.[3]

Results

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Gjakova District

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Gjakova

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo24,92859.6626
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo7,03116.837
Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo3,9389.424
Democratic Party of Kosovo3,0107.203
Liberal Party of Kosovo8562.051
Liberal Center Party of Kosovo4441.06
Liberal Democratic Party of Kosovo2670.64
Green Party of Kosovo2640.63
Bislim Hoti2060.49
Bosniak Party of Democratic Action of Kosovo1870.45
National-Democratic Front Party of Kosovo1580.38
Social Democratic Party of Kosovo1540.37
Hasan Sadriu1030.25
Avdullah Qafani990.24
Skender Korenica520.12
Coalition for Independence470.11
Social Democratic Union420.10
Total41,786100.0041
Source: [4]

Aqif Shehu of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election.[5]

Deçan

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo10,13660.4419
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo5,55233.1110
Democratic Party of Kosovo8815.252
Republican Party of Kosovo1350.81
Coalition for Independence660.39
Total16,770100.0031
Source: [6]

Mehmet Bojkaj of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election.[7]

Rahovec

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo14,88461.3320
Democratic Party of Kosovo4,90820.226
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo3,68015.165
Liberal Center Party of Kosovo3371.39
Albanian National Democratic Party1440.59
Liberal Party of Kosovo1400.58
Social Democratic Party of Kosovo1260.52
Coalition for Independence490.20
Total24,268100.0031
Source: [8]

Esad Haxhijaha of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election.[9]

Mitrovica District

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Leposavić

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PartySeats
Democratic League of Kosovo
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo
Total
Source: [10][11]

The results in Leposavić, a predominantly Serb community, were not certified due to low turnout. No Serb parties participated in the election.

Mitrovica

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo21,78567.3229
Democratic Party of Kosovo7,78424.0511
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo9963.081
Bosniak Party of Democratic Action of Kosovo2350.73
Party of Democratic Action1750.54
Albanian Republican Party1750.54
Republican Party of Kosovo1620.50
Green Party of Kosovo1370.42
Liberal Center Party of Kosovo1320.41
Coalition for Independence1170.36
Civic Initiative "Independents of Mitrovica"1160.36
Liberal Party of Kosovo1080.33
Mitrovica Turkish Community1050.32
Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo990.31
Social Democratic Party of Kosovo940.29
Albanian National Democratic Movement740.23
Social Democratic Union440.14
Kosovo Turkish People's Party240.07
Total32,362100.0041
Source: [12]

Faruk Spahija of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election.[13]

Skenderaj

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic Party of Kosovo18,10884.0327
Democratic League of Kosovo2,89513.434
Albanian National Democratic Movement1860.86
Albanian National Democratic Party1310.61
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo990.46
Democratic National Front Party670.31
Social Democratic Party of Kosovo630.29
Total21,549100.0031
Source: [14]

Ramadan Gashi of the Democratic Party of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election.[15][16]

Vushtrri

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo16,65263.9420
Democratic Party of Kosovo7,15427.479
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo1,3665.252
Republican Party of Kosovo2110.81
Social Democratic Party of Kosovo1820.70
Coalition for Independence1760.68
Liberal Party of Kosovo1410.54
Albanian Republican Party1260.48
Kosovo Turkish People's Party340.13
Total26,042100.0031
Source: [17]

Hajzer Krasniqi of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election. Krasniqi was required to resign for health reasons in later in the year and was replaced by Muharrem Shabani, also of the Democratic League of Kosovo.[18]

Zubin Potok

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PartySeats
Democratic League of Kosovo
Total
Source: [19][20]

The results in Zubin Potok, a predominantly Serb community, were not certified due to low turnout. No Serb parties participated in the election.

Zvečan

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PartySeats
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo
Total
Source: [21][22]

The results in Zvečan, a predominantly Serb community, were not certified due to low turnout. No Serb parties participated in the election.

Peja District

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Peja

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo28,35265.1328
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo7,72917.758
Democratic Party of Kosovo4,47510.284
Party of Democratic Action1,2392.851
Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo4270.98
Bosniak Party of Democratic Action of Kosovo2860.66
Liberal Party of Kosovo1570.36
Liberal Democratic Party of Kosovo1530.35
National-Democratic Front Party of Kosovo1460.34
Republican Party of Kosovo1370.31
Green Party of Kosovo1120.26
Albanian National Democratic Party930.21
Liberal Center Party of Kosovo880.20
Social Democratic Party of Kosovo700.16
Social Democratic Union470.11
Coalition for Independence210.05
Total43,532100.0041
Source: [23]

Ali Lajçi of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election. UNMIK leader Bernard Kouchner appointed Božidar Krstić to the municipal assembly as a representative of Peja's Serb community.[24]

Istog

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo12,72170.4622
Democratic Party of Kosovo2,93116.235
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo1,6309.033
Party of Democratic Action4532.511
Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo2361.31
Liberal Party of Kosovo830.46
Total18,054100.0031
Source: [25]

Fadil Ferati of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election.[26]

Klina

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PartyVotes%Seats
Democratic League of Kosovo8,33452.0317
Democratic Party of Kosovo5,11231.9210
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo1,1867.402
Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo9545.962
Liberal Party of Kosovo2431.52
Liberal Center Party of Kosovo1150.72
Coalition for Independence730.46
Total16,017100.0031
Source: [27]

Ismet Rraci of the Democratic League of Kosovo was chosen as mayor after the election. He was assassinated by unknown parties in April 2001. Ramë Manaj, also of the Democratic League of Kosovo, was chosen as his successor.[28][29]

Subsequent developments

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Following the results, and in light of the Serb boycott, UNMIK leader Bernard Kouchner said that he would appoint Serb representatives to municipal assemblies in the predominantly Serb areas.[30] Objections were raised by some community leaders, including the serving mayors of Leposavić, Zubin Potok, Zvečan, and Kosovska Mitrovica (as chosen by municipal assemblies elected in the 1996 Serbian local elections).[31] Notwithstanding this, UNMIK was able to establish functional local assemblies in Leposavić, Zubin Potok, and Zvečan, which in turn selected new mayors in their communities.[32]

Nenad Radosavljević, who had previously led the Serbian National Council in Leposavić, became mayor in that community.[33] He stood down from the role later in 2001.[34] Online sources do not indicate if anyone was formally appointed as his successor prior to the 2002 local elections; Nebojša Radulović served as deputy mayor and may also have been acting mayor.[35]

In Zubin Potok, Slaviša Ristić of the Democratic Party of Serbia was selected by the local assembly as mayor.[36]

Desimir Petković, who had served as mayor of Zvečan prior to the 2000 elections, was confirmed for another term in office afterwards.[37]

The situation in northern Kosovska Mitrovica was different, as it was not recognized by UNMIK as a separate municipality. The Serbian government continued to recognize the pre-war municipal administration led by Nikola Radović until 2002, although its authority was for a time eclipsed by the local Serbian National Council led by Oliver Ivanović.[38] Ivanović left the SNV in 2001, at which time its influence in civil government declined.

In November 2002, the Serbian government agreed to give UNMIK direct control over the municipal government of northern Kosovska Mitrovica on a provisional basis.[39][40] Radović gave his support to the initiative.[41] The board held its first meeting on 30 May 2003.[42]

References

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  1. ^ Observations of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, Muncipal (sic) elections in Kosovo - 28 October 2000, Council of Europe, 15 December 2000, accessed 4 February 2022.
  2. ^ Robert H. Reid, "Serbs adamant in rejecting UN elections until Serbs allowed to return," Associated Press Newswires, 14 July 2000.
  3. ^ Observations of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, Muncipal (sic) elections in Kosovo - 28 October 2000, Council of Europe, 15 December 2000, accessed 4 February 2022.
  4. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  5. ^ Gjakova – Raporit komunal, Instituti për Studime të Avancuara GAP, November 2009, accessed 21 March 2024.
  6. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  7. ^ Deçani – Raporti komunal, Instituti për Studime të Avancuara GAP, November 2009, accessed 19 March 2024.
  8. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Kush ishte ish-kryetari i Rahovecit Esad Haxhijaha", Syri, 21 January 2020, accessed 20 March 2024.
  10. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Fletëvotimet dhe listat e kandidatëve (Leposaviç – Lista e kandidatëve), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 18 January 2022.
  11. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  12. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  13. ^ Remy Ourdan, "Des soldats français « pris en otage entre deux illusions »", Le Monde, 26 November 2000, accessed 4 February 2022.
  14. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  15. ^ PeaceWatch, United States Institute of Peace, Vol. VII No. 3 (April 2001), p. 5.
  16. ^ Welcome to the Municipality of Skenderaj, Republic of Kosovo, 2012, p. 18, accessed 24 March 2024.
  17. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Vdes Hajzer Krasniqi, ish-kryetari i komunës së Vushtrrisë", Koha Ditore, 24 June 2018, accessed 4 February 2022.
  19. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Fletëvotimet dhe listat e kandidatëve (Zubin Potok – Lista e kandidatëve), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 12 January 2022.
  20. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  21. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Fletëvotimet dhe listat e kandidatëve (Zubin Potok – Lista e kandidatëve), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 12 January 2022.
  22. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  23. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Serb councillor in Pec takes oath in front of Albanian, UN flags," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European – Political, 29 January 2001 (Source: Kosovapress news agency web site, Pristina, in Albanian 25 Jan 01.).
  25. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Vdiq Fadil Ferati, nënkryetar i LDK-së", Bota Sot, 30 January 2010, accessed 17 March 2024.
  27. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  28. ^ Human Rights Watch World Report 2002 - Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Human Rights Watch, 17 January 2002, accessed 20 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Ethnic Albanian officials oppose return of Serb refugees," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European – Political, 20 March 2002 (Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 19 Mar 02 p 4.).
  30. ^ "Violence and Serb anger overshadow Kosovo poll result," Agence France-Presse, 6 November 2000.
  31. ^ "Kušner najavljuje izbore", Blic, 21 November 2000, accessed 4 February 2022.
  32. ^ "SRSG Inaugurates Leposavic Municipal Assembly," United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, 20 November 2000.
  33. ^ "Nebojša Čović sastavlja listu", Archived 2022-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, Glas javnosti, 25 November 2001, accessed 24 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Kosovo Serb political landscape: People’s Justice", Kossev, 9 September 2019, accessed 24 March 2024.
  35. ^ "OSOBLJE UNMIK-A NAPUSTILO ZVECAN, ZUBIN POTOK I LEPOSAVIC", Archived 2022-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, B92, 11 April 2002, accessed 4 February 2022.
  36. ^ "Nastavljaju borbu u dve kolone", Glas javnosti, 30 December 2001, accessed 4 February 2022.
  37. ^ PeaceWatch, United States Institute of Peace, Vol. VII No. 3 (April 2001), p. 5.
  38. ^ "Kosovo's Linchpin: Overcoming Division in Mitrovica", International Crisis Group, c. 2000, accessed 24 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Serbian deputy PM says UN administration of Mitrovica agreed with Belgrade," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 26 November 2002 (Source: Tanjug news agency, Belgrade, in Serbian 1220 gmt 26 Nov 02).
  40. ^ "Serbia's Covic announces forming of northern Mitrovica council," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 17 December 2002 (Source: Beta news agency, Belgrade, in Serbian 1236 gmt 17 Dec 02).
  41. ^ "Poslanici 'Povratka' ne učestvuju u zasedanju Skupštine", B92, 27 November 2002, accessed 24 March 2024.
  42. ^ "'I Was Born in That Village' – Prospects for Minority Returns and Sustainable Integrated Communities in Kosovo", The Urban Institute, June 2003, p. 45.