Serbia calls for elections in northern Kosovo amid rising tensions

Serbia has called for new elections in northern Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs have been increasingly marginalized following the Kosovo government's closure of Serbia-backed institutions. This move has heightened tensions in a region that has a history of conflict, particularly after the 1998-99 war that led to Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize. President Aleksandar Vucic has demanded the return of ethnic Serbs to police and judiciary roles, emphasizing the need for dialogue mediated by the EU since 2011. Despite these demands, Kosovo's leadership is unlikely to comply, as they have faced criticism from the U.S. and EU for their actions against parallel institutions. The situation escalated after a violent incident last year, where a gunfight involving armed Serb gunmen resulted in casualties, marking a significant outbreak of violence since the war. In response to the ongoing crisis, Vucic has expressed Serbia's commitment to supporting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo both socially and financially. He has also accused Western powers of favoring Kosovo in the dispute, indicating a potential shift in Serbia's diplomatic efforts as he plans to reach out to global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The EU has urged both Serbia and Kosovo to normalize their relations to progress towards EU membership, but the historical and ethnic complexities of the region continue to pose significant challenges. The ongoing tensions are further complicated by Serbia's close ties with Russia and China, which have supported its claims over Kosovo. As the situation develops, there are growing concerns that these tensions could lead to broader instability in the Balkans, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.