Local authorities in Leposavić, in northern Kosovo and Metohija, have ordered 17 Serbian families to vacate their homes which they have built over the past decades. The families received notices with a one-month deadline to leave, with a warning that their houses will be demolished if they do not vacate. The Serbian families refuse to leave and are prepared to defend their property, calling on the authorities in Belgrade for assistance. The decision of the new municipal government, elected in extraordinary elections boycotted by Serbs, did not offer alternative housing to the affected families. This situation has caused concern and protests among local Serbs, who feel their rights are being violated.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the human rights aspect of the eviction, highlighting the plight of the Serbian families who have legally built their homes and are now being forced out without alternative housing. They often criticize the new local authorities for disregarding the rights and welfare of the minority Serbian community and call for intervention from the Serbian government and international bodies to protect these families.
Center: Centrist sources report the facts of the eviction order and the response of the Serbian families, presenting the situation as a complex local governance issue following political changes in Leposavić. They focus on the legal and administrative aspects, noting the boycott of the elections by Serbs and the lack of alternative housing solutions, while maintaining a neutral tone without assigning blame.
Right: Right-leaning media stress the injustice and perceived ethnic discrimination against the Serbian families, portraying the eviction as part of a broader pattern of pressure on Serbs in Kosovo. They highlight the families’ determination to defend their homes and call on the Serbian government to take a strong stance against the local authorities and Kosovo institutions, framing the issue within the context of Serbian national rights and sovereignty.
