Local Election in Kosovo: Independence Accomplished – New Goals Ahead for Kosovo
Local Election in Kosovo: Independence Accomplished – New Goals Ahead for Kosovo

Author(s): Aljaf Bakhtyar, Zijad Bećirović
Subject(s): Politics, Governance, Political history, Government/Political systems, Electoral systems, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010)
Published by: Mednarodni inštitut za bližnjevzhodne in balkanske študije IFIMES
Keywords: Kosovo; local elections; politics; 2009; independence;
Summary/Abstract: The first local election in Kosovo since the country proclaimed its independence on 17 February 2008 is scheduled for 15 November 2009. Voters in Kosovo will choose mayors and deputies for local assemblies who will run 33 municipalities for the next four years. 74 political parties and citizens’ movements are taking part in the ballot including independent lists and lists of ethnic minority communities. They comprise 35 Kosovo Albanian and 23 Serbian “political entities”. EU special representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith stated that after the election three new municipalities (Gračanica, Klokot and Ranilug) and the enlarged municipality of Novo Brdo would be established, which might further encourage the Serbian minority in their aspirations for decentralisation. According to the peace mediator Martti Ahtisaari’s plan Kosovo should have 38 municipalities. The election will not be held in the municipalities of North Mitrovica and Parteš, which should become new municipalities according to the plan. In the municipalities of Gračanica, Klokot and Ranilug the election process will be the same as in all other municipalities.

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