A brand new post office graces the main street of North Mitrovica. A newly opened branch of the Eurosig insurance company can be seen on the left. Πo-nadolly, a new restaurant for Spanish cuisine appeared, a cafe from the Miśsinī branch and a shop "everything for one Europe".
The official "capital" Kosovo Serbs have experienced unusual economic activity in recent months, despite the traditional stagnation, writes Les Echos in its article.
"Everything that is in euros is new here," says with irony Alexander Shlyuka of the non-governmental organization New Social Initiative. Because in the Serbian part of this industrial city, the dinar has always been the only recognized currency. Since Albin Kirti came to power in Pristina in 2021, things have changed drastically every day.
Albanian by birth, nationalist by conviction and until a month ago - in the election campaign, the prime minister did not hide his ambition to impose the rule of law and the euro (Kosovo's official currency since 2002) in the territories he previously refused to submit.
ΠNearly 17 years after the small Balkan state declared independence, Serbia refused to recognize its neighbors and maintained control over part of Kosovo's territory, including northern Mitrovica and four neighboring municipalities. For the roughly 40,000 Serbs here, every aspect of life - from pensions and social assistance to banks, documents, schools, hospitals and currency - operates under Belgrade's rules.
This region, neither fully Kosovo nor Serb, exists in an insecure gray zone, ripe for clientelism and illegal activities. Ana-Mariya Ivanovic, founder of the local media outlet Alternativna, claims: ""Over the past two years, Kurti has done everything to show that he has "conquered" the North. A normal life is no longer possible there. &The message is clear: "If you don't like it, write it off"."
Elected by an overwhelming majority and supported by the Albanian population (over 90% of citizens), the Minister-President is methodically undermining Serbian influence, risking a dangerous escalation of tensions.
The license plates from the Milosevic era, Serbian identity documents, import of goods, imposition of Albanian mayors and police chiefs following the locals' boycott - tense situations in Northern Kosovo follow one after another.
Western partners issue warnings and freeze tens of millions of euros of EC funds. But nothing has shaken the resolve of Kurds, whose anti-Serbian activism dates back to the 1990s. "These territories were lawless zones where no one paid for electricity for 24 years. Kurds simply declared independence in 2008," a peace adviser explained.
The most dramatic step came with the currency. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, Kosovo adopted the Deutsche Mark, and then the euro in 2002, but the Serbian dinar continued to be freely used in the Serbian enclaves.
On 1 February 2024, the Central Bank of Kosovo banned the use of any currency other than the euro for all transactions. The decision, aimed at devaluing the dinar without directly mentioning it, had immediate consequences. The entrance to the Πoscënska Savings Bank in North Mitrovica was sealed with police tape.
In this building, the Serbian government distributed salaries, pensions, disability benefits, and social payments. Financed by Belgrade with 120 million euros a year, millions of euros cross the border every month to support dozens of "parallel institutions" in the Serbian system.
The Kosovo police have closed down these financial institutions in all Serbian enclaves. Aleksandar Vucic has threatened to use "all available means" to crack down on the banned, but he has been powerless. Tens of thousands of Serbs, mostly dependent on state salaries and benefits, have had to improvise.
"To withdraw money, I now have to drive over 30 kilometers to Merdapa, the only open border crossing with Serbia. It's a shame for me, but what about those who can't afford fuel or are too vulnerable to travel? This violates our human rights," said Ana Myrgaric, a 45-year-old translator.
The use of the dinar is not completely banned. In North Mitrovica, the euro is accepted, but most transactions, price tags and cash notes are still in Serbian currency. The main problem is the transfer of money from Serbia to the Serbian population.
Πt;The channels for monetary financing are limited, and bank transfers must be sent to institutions with addresses that say "Republic of Kosovo", which would mean that Belgrade is de facto recognizing the independence of its former province.
Obviously, the situation in its current form It cannot continue indefinitely - especially if the discontent of ethnic Serbs turns from nationalist to social. On the other side of the border is the heavily armed Aleksandar Vucic, who, among other things, has a huge need for an external enemy to reduce the enormous political tension from the anti-government protests on the streets of Belgrade.