Kosovo Serb mayor looks to a better future

15/03/2010

The mayor of the Serb-majority town of Strpce shares his “super combined” goal of economic development through winter sports with a vision of multiethnic tolerance.

By Linda Karadaku for Southeast European Times in Pristina — 15/03/10

Bratislav Nikolic is the mayor of Strpce, a southern Kosovo town widely known for its famous ski-resort Brezovica. Nikolic was elected in the second round of the 2009 local run-off last December.

It is Nikolic’s vision to power Strpce’s economic development through the Brezovica ski resort, while at the same time transforming the town into a successfully integrated multi-ethnic municipality.

He discussed those plans in a recent interview with SETimes.

SETimes: How did you decide to run for mayor?

Bratislav Nikolic: After working for different international organisations, I realised I could do something for my hometown. It was a big challenge and a lot of work, but for a young man like me, it was not that difficult.

SETimes: Why do you think the Serbs of Strpce supported you?

Nikolic: Ordinary people in Strpce recognise in me a new, young politician ready to make changes in our municipality. I am assembling a team of well known and respected people. Therefore, the result was receiving over 4,000 votes [65% of the total] in the second round of elections.

SETimes: There are Serbs, such as Zvonko Mihajlovic, who say you assumed office illegally by taking over the municipal office without a proper vote………………

Setimes

Kosovo Serb mayor’s house attacked

15/03/2010

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Shterpce/Strpce Mayor Bratislav Nikolic said on Sunday (March 14th) that he will not change his politics despite shots fired at his house by gunmen. “This act was committed by people who do not support good ideas, but want to frighten people who do a good job,” Nikolic said, a day after the incident. No injuries or damage was reported. Police have arrested two suspects. Nikolic was elected in the November 2009 municipal elections as a candidate of the Serbian Liberal Party. So far, he has ignored Serb parallel structures that have been active in the small town for the past ten years. (Zeri, RTK - 15/03/10; Kohavision, Telegrafi - 13/03/10)

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