(ANSA) - UDINE, 17 OTT - BELGRADE, OCTOBER 17 - Local elections are being held today in Kosovo and North Macedonia: station polls are open in both countries from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Kosovo, there are 1,885,448 voters and 2,477 polling stations for a total of 5,364 candidates, 166 of whom are running for mayor. There are 38 municipalities where the election takes place, of which 10 are Serb majority areas. After consulting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, yesterday Srpska Lista (SL), by far the largest party of Kosovo Serbs, announced its participation in the vote. Initially, it had been against participating in the election in protest against the so-called "provocative actions" of the Kosovo police implemented recently in the Serb-majority north of Kosovo.

According to the polls, the majority party 'Self-determination' (Vetevendosje, VV, nationalist) led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, winner of last February's general elections, should easily win in the capital Pristina. In contrast, other political forces would take the lead in several other municipalities, both from the ruling coalition and the opposition. Due to the pandemic, the electoral campaign took place mainly on social media, radio, and television. The elections are taking place in compliance with the preventive measures against Covid. All Balkan countries have recorded a strong surge of infections and deaths in recent weeks. (ANSA).