Nearly half of Kosovo’s independent institutions and agencies are currently without active or complete boards, due to the ongoing political deadlock in the country. The absence of functioning oversight bodies has left these institutions operating with incomplete leadership, raising concerns about accountability and governance.
Since the February 9 elections, the stalemate in forming new institutions has directly affected the functioning of over 30 state agencies, leaving them without supervision and causing delays in decision-making.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti expressed concern during Sunday’s parliamentary session:
“In the absence of a functional Assembly during these months, 33 state agencies and independent institutions have been left without institutional oversight. This has created a leadership vacuum, delays in decision-making, and risks in implementing public policies.”
The Kosovo Institute of Justice (KDI) had already raised alarms in July, listing the institutions that were becoming paralyzed or at risk of losing active boards. According to Gzim Shala from KDI, the issue spans multiple legislatures:
“Some institutions are functioning with incomplete memberships, but if this situation continues, the number of completely non-functional bodies will only increase. Even when quorum is met, decisions are more legitimate when made with a full composition.”
From the GAP Institute, Bekim Salihu emphasized that even a rapid political solution would not immediately resolve the issue:
“Kosovo has around 70 commissions, agencies, and independent institutions dependent on executive and legislative decisions to appoint board members. About 33 of them currently lack full boards, and some are non-functional. This directly impacts state performance and citizen oversight.”
Among the affected institutions are the Constitutional Court, Procurement Review Body, Ombudsperson Institution, Independent Oversight Board for the Civil Service, Competition Authority, KOSTT Board, and the Kosovo Privatization Agency, many of which are expected to face expiring mandates in the coming days.
The prolonged institutional vacuum risks undermining good governance, transparency, and public trust, as critical decisions remain on hold amid Kosovo’s ongoing political impasse.
