CIVICUS discusses challenges following Kosovo’s election with Taulant Hoxha, Executive Director of the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), an independent civil society organisation (CSO) that supports local groups to develop a more participatory and democratic society.
In Kosovo’s 9 February election, the ruling Vetëvendosje! (Self-determination), party secured the most seats but didn’t win a majority. Government formation will entail complex coalition negotiations in a highly polarised political landscape. Kosovo faces a delicate balancing act between addressing domestic challenges in areas such as economic development, education, health and justice, and managing tensions over the political participation of Kosovo’s Serb ethnic minority and the country’s relations with Serbia, which doesn’t recognise Kosovo as a state. With local elections approaching and international pressure to resume dialogue with Serbia intensifying, Kosovo’s young democratic institutions face the test of forming a stable government while respecting civic space.