Over 20 state institutions without permanent leaders, awaiting the new government

Dozens of state institutions are being led by acting officials as a result of the political blockade and lack of formation of new institutions. Constitutional law experts raise concerns that this situation is undermining the normal functioning of the state and independent bodies.

For some time, a large number of institutions in Kosovo have been led by acting persons. The head of state, the post of president, is held by Albulena Haxhiu as acting president, who also chairs the acting Assembly, following its dissolution.

Meanwhile, Albin Kurti continues to head the executive as acting prime minister, until the formation of the next government that will emerge from the June 7 elections. Some structures under the Ministry of Finance, such as the Treasury, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Central Procurement Agency, also have acting heads. In the Ministry of Justice, the situation is similar: the State Advocacy Office, the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Property, the Free Legal Aid Agency, and the Institute of Forensic Medicine are functioning with temporary leaders.

Even in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the same picture emerges, where the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety and the Civil Registration Agency are led by acting officials.

The Kosovo Institute of Justice (IKD) emphasizes that besides posts held in this way, another concern is that some institutions have incomplete composition and others risk paralysis if new institutions are not formed.

“Many positions are held by acting officials, and this is extremely concerning. This practice should be merely an exceptional case, to avoid an institutional vacuum. Based on our findings, there are 24 independent institutions and agencies that either operate with incomplete composition or with mandates that are coming to an end,” stated Gzim Shala from IKD.

Likewise, the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) sees this situation as a direct consequence of the political deadlock and lack of a functional parliament.

“This blockade in the constitution of the Assembly and the election of the government risks leaving us without two judges in the Constitutional Court. Next year, the mandate of five other members expires, and without a parliament, the work of this court would be completely blocked. Likewise, the mandate of the Ombudsperson is coming to an end,” warned Vullnet Bugaqku from KDI.

The report of the Kosovo Institute of Justice identifies 24 independent institutions and agencies that currently have incomplete composition or whose mandates have expired or are expiring. Among them are the Constitutional Court, the Procurement Review Body, the Ombudsperson Institution, the Kosovo Judicial Council, the Energy Regulatory Office, the Kosovo Competition Authority, the Railway Regulatory Authority, the board of KOSTT, the Kosovo Privatization Agency, the Anti-Corruption Agency, and the National Audit Office.