The Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) has elected Supreme Court judge Rrustem Thaqi as its new chairperson during its 367th meeting held on Monday.
In the vote, which included 11 participating members, Thaqi secured six votes, while his opponent, Court of Appeals judge Besnik Bislimaj, received five votes, resulting in a narrow victory.
The two candidates had previously competed in an earlier election process that failed after both received five votes each, leading to the reopening of the selection procedure for the position.
The current process followed a competition announced on 12 March 2026, which remained open until 26 March. However, the initial round did not produce a final result, prompting a renewed vote that ultimately led to Thaqi’s election.
The mandate of the previous chairperson, Supreme Court judge Albert Zogaj, ended on 9 March 2026, leaving the position vacant until the latest appointment.
At the same time, the KJC continues to face institutional gaps, as only 11 of the 13 legally required members have been appointed. Two positions remain unfilled, while one appointment is still subject to ongoing court proceedings at the Basic Court in Pristina, following a session held on 4 May 2026.
The new leadership comes at a time when Kosovo’s judicial system continues to face challenges related to institutional functionality and the full completion of its governing structures.
