The Governance of Kosovo operates in the context of the disputed territory of Kosovo. It involves multiple overlapping structures: the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG), defined under United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) regulations; the Republic of Kosovo (RoK) government, defined under the 2008 Constitution of Kosovo and operating in most of Kosovo; and the Assembly of the Community of Municipalities of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, which operates in North Kosovo. All these governments operate in the context of a multi-party parliamentary representative democracy.
Historical Background
On 10 June 1999, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1244, placing Kosovo under UN administration. On 25 July 1999, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo issued UNMIK Regulation 1999/1, vesting all legislative and executive authority in UNMIK. On 15 May 2001, UNMIK Regulation 2001/9 established the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG), including the Assembly of Kosovo, the President of Kosovo, the Executive of Kosovo, and the judicial system.
On 17 February 2008, 109 individual members of the Assembly of Kosovo signed the Kosovo declaration of independence. On 9 April 2008, the Constitution of Kosovo was adopted, taking effect on 15 June 2008. On 28 June 2008, delegates elected in the 2008 Kosovan local elections in 26 municipalities convened an Assembly of the Community of Municipalities of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.
Status Dispute
The governance of Kosovo is complicated by its disputed status. A number of countries—including Serbia, Russia, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain—as well as international organizations that are "status-neutral" (such as the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, NATO, EULEX, and the European Commission Liaison Office in Kosovo) have not recognized the Republic of Kosovo. For these actors, the institutions of Kosovo are still considered the "Provisional Institutions of Self-Government."
International civil and security presences continue to operate under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Initially this included only UNMIK but has since expanded to include the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), which was deployed throughout the territory of Kosovo in December 2008, assuming responsibilities in police, customs, and the judiciary.
Structure of the Republic of Kosovo Government
Under the 2008 Constitution, the Republic of Kosovo is a multi-party parliamentary representative democracy.
-
Legislative Power is vested in the Assembly of Kosovo and the ministers within their competencies. The Assembly has 120 members elected for a four-year term, including twenty reserved seats: ten for Kosovar Serbs and ten for non-Serb minorities (e.g., Bosniaks, Roma, etc.). The Assembly passes laws, ratifies international treaties, appoints the President, Prime Minister, ministers, and justices of all courts, adopts the budget, and can pass a vote of no-confidence on the Government by a majority of members.
-
President is the head of state, representing the "unity of the people," and is elected by the Assembly.
-
Executive Power (the Government) is exercised by the Prime Minister as head of government, deputy prime ministers, and the ministers of various ministries. The Prime Minister is elected by the Assembly, and ministers are nominated by the Prime Minister and approved by the Assembly.
-
Judicial System is composed of an independent judiciary including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts, a Constitutional Court, and an independent prosecutorial institution. Courts are administered by the Kosovo Judicial Council. EULEX judges and prosecutors also operate in tandem with their Kosovan counterparts under laws passed in 2008.
-
Local Government includes multiple municipalities with their own local governments, as defined by the Constitution and law.
