Basic information about the territory
Subchapters:
- System of governance and political tendencies in the country
- Foreign policy of the country
- Population
The system of governance and political tendencies in the country
The Republic of Kosovo is characterized by a frequent change of governments, which has faced great external and internal pressure since the very beginning of the state’s governance. Internal disagreements, particularly regarding trade and economic relations with Serbia and reforms in the area of justice and the interior, have until now led to the early disintegration of the coalition governments formed. Kosovo is currently dominated by the left-wing Vetëvendosje movement. Other important parties include the PDK (Democratic Party of Kosovo) and the liberal LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo). Early parliamentary elections were held in Kosovo in March 2021. The election results confirmed the high preferences of the Vetëvendosje movement, benefiting from the dissatisfaction of young voters with corruption and the unhappy economic and political situation in the country. The forces of the ruling and opposition parties are very balanced, and for this reason there will probably be frequent changes of government in the future. In April 2021, Vjosa Osmani was elected President of Kosovo by the Kosovo Parliament (Kosovo Assembly). The range of presidential powers corresponds to the standard range of powers of the head of state in a parliamentary republican system. Check computerminus to learn more about Kosovo political system.
Composition of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo:
Albin Kurti – Prime Minister
Besnik Bislimi – Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue
Donika Gervall – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Emilja Rexhepi – Deputy Prime Minister for Minorities and Human Rights
Hekuran Murati – Minister of Finance, Labor and Transfers
Albulena Haxhiu – Minister of Justice
Arben Vitia – Minister of Health
Arberie Nagavci – Minister of Education
Hajrullah Ceku – Minister of Culture
Elbert Krasniqi – Minister of Local Government
Liburn Aliu – Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure
Faton Peci – Minister of Agriculture
Armend Mehaj – Minister of Defense
Xhelal Svecla – Minister of Interior and Public management
Rozeta Hajdari – Minister of Industry, Business and Trade
Artane Rizvanolli – Minister of Economy
Goran Rakic - Minister of Return
Fikrim Damka – Minister of Regional Development
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pristina
Foreign policy of the country
The development of relations with the EU and the USA and integration into the EU are among the priorities of the foreign orientation of the Republic of Kosovo. The EU-Kosovo Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) was signed in October 2015 and entered into force in April 2016. The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for closer political and economic relations between the EU and Kosovo. This created the first ever contractual relationship between the EU and Kosovo. It is a union treaty that did not require ratification by member countries. The Serbian-Kosovo dialogue on the normalization of mutual relations under the patronage of the EU remains an important aspect of Kosovo’s European integration process. Progress in the integration of Kosovo into the EU is conditional on progress in the normalization of relations with Serbia. Since declaring independence in February 2008, Kosovo has made progress in building state institutions and consolidating the rule of law. Kosovo mainly faces problems related to the country’s involvement in regional or global cooperation, which is met with resistance from Serbia and the five EU countries that do not recognize Kosovo, as well as the enforcement of the state’s powers in the north of the country, where the majority Serbian population lives. Apart from Serbia, from the countries of the Western Balkans, Kosovo is not recognized either by Bosnia and Herzegovina. Check relationshipsplus for Kosovo defense and foreign policy.
Source: Embassy of the Czech Republic in Priština, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, EU Office in Kosovo
Population
A total of 1.80 million inhabitants live in Kosovo. Solving the issue of not including the Kosovar foreign diaspora, which numbers approximately 0.6 million inhabitants, is somewhat problematic.
The population density is 175 inhabitants/km2
Unemployment: 29.0%
Average annual population growth: 0.6%
Age composition of the population: under 15 years: 28.0%, 15-65 years: 65.0%, over 65 years: 7%
Average age: 30.2 years (lowest in Europe)
Average life expectancy: 77 years (men 74 and women 79)
National composition: Albanians 88%, Serbs 7%, others 5% (of which Bosniaks 1.9%, Roma 1.7%, Turks 1%)
Religious composition: 80% Muslims, 5% Orthodox Christians, 3% Catholic Christians
Source: KAS