On June 8th, Kosovo is set to hold parliamentary elections after the Assembly of Kosovo voted to disband itself, amid political gridlock and an unstable ruling coalition. These come shortly after Kosovo held local elections in 2013, which brought about notable political change — especially in the larger cities — and are the first parliamentary elections where it is expected that the Serbs living north of the Ibër/Ibar river will vote in significant numbers, much like they did in the 2013 local elections. These elections are significant for a variety of reasons, not least for the fact that the Serb community will be running under a single unified list, the expected high turnout within the Kosovo Serb community, and generally the change that the election may bring on the ruling parties, after almost two terms of PDK led governments. An important change in the way minority communities are represented in the Assembly of Kosovo will take effect in these elections: the reserved seats system will be phased out, in favour of the guaranteed seats system. This switch over is expected to shake-up the minority political scene, as it will introduce a slightly more restrictive allocation of seats for minorities.

The Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, through its Communities Consultative Council (CCC), has issued a Public Notice whereby all registered Associations and/or Non-Governmental Organizations representing communities are invited to submit their application for accreditation, a list of candidates for the Council, as well as a list of representatives that will cast their vote for the future members of the Council. In addition, any person belonging to a non-majority community, as well as Members of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, is eligible to submit their application—in writing—to be a candidate for a possible appointment in the Council as a representative of the respective community they belong to.

Civil society in Kosovo is largely fragmented: it is not only often divided along ethnic lines, but there is also frequently a lack of communication and cooperation among Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from the same communities. In view of the particular needs and internal fragmentation of most minority communities in Kosovo, ECMI Kosovo, on behalf of its project “Empowering Civil Society to Participate Effectively in Policy and Decision-making Processes through Dialogue with Government Institutions”, funded by EU and managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo,1 aimed to foster the establishment of minority CSO networks with the ultimate goal of enabling them to advocate for their specific needs and interests while united through one voice.

ECMI Kosovo has conducted previous research on substance abuse and treatment options, particularly regarding the situation in northern Kosovo. The findings suggest a serious marginalization of drug addicts, most likely stemming from the highly negative social perceptions about this type of substance abuse. International reports, as well as a general local consensus, suggest that narcotics are a common problem throughout Kosovo, particularly in the north. Stakeholders who met with ECMI also highlighted a lack of addiction rehabilitation facilities as a weakness in current healthcare.

There is not an agreed definition on international law on what or who constitutes a minority. However, in democratic theory and positive law three categories of minorities are recognized: indigenous groups who were once hegemonic in their territory and who were displaced by the current state or its predecessor, other long-standing “national minority” groups who have long co-existed within the state, and new immigrant groups. This is not an exhaustive category list, because in some states some groups, like Roma, might not find their place within it.

2013 local elections were organised for the first time in the whole territory of Kosovo, including in Leposavić/Leposaviq, Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North, Zubin Potok, and Zvečan/Zveçan. This presents a new phase in Kosovo’s development after its declaration of independence in 2008. While on the one hand, participation of all citizens and ethnic communities in the elections is a positive sign for Kosovo’s fledgling democracy and rule of law, on the other hand the election of parties and Mayors that contest Kosovo’s authority and status represents a major challenge to the institutions of the state.