This article analyses the relationship between the recently signed border demarcation deal and visa liberalization for Kosovo. It will examine the conditions that have been laid out by the EU for Kosovo, notably with regard to the rule of law. Additionally, it will explain what procedures the country would need to undergo in order to achieve visa-free travel in the Schengen area. It will also examine the future prospects for visa liberalisation for Kosovo, by analyzing developments in the other countries of the Western Balkans. Lastly, the report highlights the possible effects that such a process could have for minority communities in Kosovo.

On 10 July the Central Election Commission informed the President of Kosovo that it had certified the election results of the 11 June parliamentary election. According to the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of Kosovo, the Assembly’s inaugural session will now be convened by the President within thirty (30) days of the official announcement of election results. The certification has set in motion the process of establishing a new coalition government. This report looks at the results, possible scenarios and upcoming challenges for the parties in the aftermath of one of the most inconclusive election results in Kosovo’s recent democratic history.

In our latest brief on the upcoming elections, ECMI Kosovo is looking at the controversy that has arisen surrounding gender representation and legal provisions that try to ensure a minimal level of representation of women in the overall election process and in the next Assembly of Kosovo.

In the upcoming snap election of June 11, the Serb community in Kosovo will for the first time compete with six political parties and citizen initiates. The Serb political representatives are among the most important caucuses in the Assembly of Kosovo and there is currently heavy competition among parties on winning these seats. The following is a short summary of underlying issues, the dynamics of involvement of Republic of Serbia within the Serb political establishment in Kosovo and of the parties and initiatives competing in elections.

Less than a week ago, the Assembly of Kosovo, with a majority of votes, under an initiative brought forward by the three opposition parties, NISMA, AAK and Vetëvendosje, passed the motion of no confidence in the government. The move triggered snap elections which are now foreseen to be held on 11th of June. While the need to ensure free and fair elections is paramount, the following summary will only focus on the background that led to this situation, the constitutional norms governing elections and coalition formation and how these have affected party alignment before elections.

In a difficult and often challenging year for the Government and for Kosovo society in general, a number of political developments have cast shadows over the long-term stability of the governing coalition composed of PDK, LDK, and Srpska lista. Internal disagreements over major issues such as the newly-adopted Law on Trepça/Trepča or the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities have put a strain on the work of the government endangering its majority in parliament. At the same time, the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro turned into a major political issue with the opposition staging a number of strong protests inside and outside parliament; Srpska lista chose to boycott the vote, leading to a deadlock and complicating relations within the government even further.