Did Kosovo voters take to polls in test of new nation (AP)?”
PRISTINA, Kosovo—Kosovo’s first elections since independence from Serbia began smoothly Sunday, with some minority Serbs ignoring a call to boycott and casting ballots alongside ethnic Albanians. The elections for city council and mayors in 36 municipalities were seen as a key test of the fledgling state’s viability following its contested February 2008 declaration of independence. No major instances of unrest or fraud allegations were reported by Sunday afternoon, though the run-up had been marred by tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, as well as fears of fraud and the possibility of a boycott from the Serb minority. Stones were thrown Wednesday at Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s convoy, and there was an apparent assassination attempt Thursday on an opposition mayoral candidate. Thaci urged minority Serbs not to boycott the vote, calling it a key test for his new nation. So far, 63 countries have recognized Kosovo, including the United States and most European countries. Ser
PRISTINA, Kosovo – Kosovo’s first elections since independence from Serbia began smoothly Sunday, with some minority Serbs ignoring a call to boycott and casting ballots alongside ethnic Albanians. The elections for city council and mayors in 36 municipalities were seen as a key test of the fledgling state’s viability following its contested February 2008 declaration of independence. No major instances of unrest or fraud allegations were reported by Sunday afternoon, though the run-up had been marred by tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, as well as fears of fraud and the possibility of a boycott from the Serb minority. Stones were thrown Wednesday at Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s convoy, and there was an apparent assassination attempt Thursday on an opposition mayoral candidate. Thaci urged minority Serbs not to boycott the vote, calling it a key test for his new nation. So far, 63 countries have recognized Kosovo, including the United States and most European countries. S
