Viola von Cramon: Serb List decision to boycott elections a big mistake

She told Kosovo’s RTK that she was sorry the Serb List is boycotting the April 23 elections.

"The boycott has already happened, I believe because of Belgrade's decision. The Serb List did not register to participate in the elections, and I believe that to be a big mistake. I openly criticized this decision and tried to contact certain people in Belgrade,” said Von Cramon.

She noted that this should have been a good sign that all political subjects and candidates are registering and that people in the north are gradually returning to the institutions, and the Sunday elections were to be a test.

Von Cramon added that “if people are boycotting the elections that does not necessarily mean there will be an escalation.”

“I hope people are careful out there. If they do not go to vote, that is their decision, but that does not mean an intention to escalate the situation. I would like to see a high turnout, but as I said, the main party decided not to participate, and that's the problem,” said Von Cramon.

In November last year Serbs withdrew from all Kosovo’s institutions. Local elections in northern Kosovo are scheduled for April 23.