On Wednesday 22 January, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe published the conclusions of the pre-electoral visit by three of its members to Pristina to observe the launch of the campaign for the legislative elections on 9 February.
The delegation notes a feeling of confidence in the process led by the Electoral Commission and in the technical improvements made possible by the adoption of the electoral law in 2023.
Serious concerns remain, however, including the absence of provisions for online media, problems of media independence, the potential impact of disinformation and artificial intelligence during the campaign, a reluctance to engage in adversarial debates, and the boycott of three television channels by the ruling party.
The delegation notes that 28 contesting lists have been announced - including that of the main Serb political party in Kosovo, which offers “a broad range of choices” and makes the electoral process more inclusive - but regrets, however, that it was impossible to meet representatives of Serb parties to discuss problems linked to minority communities in certain municipalities.
With regard to the north of Kosovo, which is still under Serbian administration and where the Serbs are in the majority, the delegation received allegations both of pressure being exerted on Serbian voters and of disinformation campaigns being conducted by Belgrade.
It calls for tensions not to be exacerbated despite growing polarisation.
A new delegation of 20 PACE members, accompanied by legal experts from the Venice Commission, will observe the elections on 9 February.
The assembly will debate their conclusions at the April session. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)