Shooting with firearms and tear gas in the North, the government of Kosovo reacts for the first time

The first deputy prime minister of the Government of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, has stated that the mayors of the municipalities of Leposaviq, Zubin Potok and Zveçan, inhabited by a majority of Serbs, "have a legal obligation to start work immediately.

In a post on Facebook, he emphasized that public institutions have an obligation to "ensure the conditions for them to exercise their duties and responsibilities".

"The mayors of the municipalities of Leposaviq, Zubin Potok and Zveçan, who were sworn in yesterday, have a legal obligation to start work immediately. Public institutions have the obligation to ensure the conditions for them to exercise their duties and responsibilities.

As mayors of municipalities, they can exercise their responsibilities only from the municipality's buildings. Those who came in with a vote, can also be overthrown with a vote. Elected citizens as a rule rarely enjoy the support of every citizen. But this does not mean that dissatisfied citizens can block elected officials from going to their workplaces.

Such a practice would very easily lead to absurd situations where no mayor, in any municipality, would be able to exercise the duties assumed.

I congratulate the newly appointed presidents for their new responsibilities and remind them that they are there to promote the interests of every citizen regardless of political beliefs, ethnicity, social status, age or gender.

I invite the citizens to give the newly elected people time to show to what extent they stand behind the promises made and the principles of a fair, efficient, transparent government that serves the citizen.

I invite the security mechanisms to do their best to guarantee the safety of the citizens and a peaceful environment for everyone", writes Bislimi.