Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo

Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo
Name	Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo
Legislature	Kosovo
House type	Unicameral
Foundation	2001 (as the Assembly of Kosovo), 2008 (as the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo)
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Glauk Konjufca
Election1	22 March 2021
Members	120
Political groups1	Government (64), Vetëvendosje (58), Serb List (6), Opposition (56), Democratic Party of Kosovo (18), Democratic League of Kosovo (15), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (8), Social Democratic Initiative (4), Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo (2), New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo (1), Vakat Coalition (1), Romani Initiative (1), Egyptian Liberal Party (1), United Community (1), Social Democratic Union (1), Independent (3)
Last election1	14 February 2021
Meeting place	Assembly Building, Pristina
Website	kuvendikosoves.org

Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo is the unicameral legislative body of the Republic of Kosovo. It exercises the sovereignty of the people and is vested with the highest legislative authority, as defined by the Constitution of Kosovo. The Assembly is responsible for enacting laws, approving the government, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the executive branch. Its seat is in the capital city of Pristina.

History

The modern Assembly traces its origins to the Kosovo War and the subsequent period of international administration under the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The first post-war elections for the Assembly of Kosovo were held in 2001, establishing a provisional institution of self-government. Following Kosovo's declaration of independence on 17 February 2008, the body was constitutionally reconstituted as the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. Key historical moments include the adoption of the Constitution of Kosovo in June 2008 and the pivotal 2013 Brussels Agreement with Serbia, which was ratified by the Assembly. The legislature has been a central forum for political debates involving major parties like the Democratic League of Kosovo, the Democratic Party of Kosovo, and more recently, Vetëvendosje.

Powers and duties

The Assembly holds comprehensive legislative powers, including the authority to amend the Constitution of Kosovo with a two-thirds majority. It elects the President of Kosovo and gives consent to the appointment of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. The body ratifies international agreements, such as those brokered by the European Union, and declares a state of emergency or state of war. It exercises oversight through mechanisms like interpellations, hearings, and investigative committees, and it must approve the state budget proposed by the Ministry of Finance. The Assembly also appoints judges to the Constitutional Court of Kosovo and the Supreme Court of Kosovo.

Composition and elections

The Assembly is composed of 120 deputies elected for a four-year term through a system of proportional representation. All deputies are elected from a single nationwide constituency. Twenty seats are constitutionally guaranteed for representatives of communities that are not in the majority: ten for the Serb community and ten for other communities including the Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Bosniak, Turkish, and Gorani. Elections are governed by the Central Election Commission and follow the framework established by the Constitution of Kosovo and electoral laws. The most recent election was the 2021 Kosovan parliamentary election.

Leadership and organization

The presiding officer is the Speaker, elected by the deputies, with Glauk Konjufca of Vetëvendosje currently holding the position. The Speaker is assisted by two Deputy Speakers. The work of the Assembly is organized through its legislative agenda set by the Presidency, which includes the Speaker, deputy speakers, and heads of parliamentary groups. The Secretary General heads the administrative apparatus, providing technical and legal support. Parliamentary groups are formed by political parties that meet a minimum threshold of deputies, with the largest groups traditionally coming from parties like the Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetëvendosje.

Committees

The Assembly conducts much of its detailed work through permanent and ad-hoc committees. Key permanent committees include the Committee on Legislation, the Committee on Budget and Finance, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Communities. These committees review draft laws, oversee government ministries, and conduct inquiries. Special committees may be established for specific purposes, such as electoral reform or investigating matters of public interest, playing a crucial role in the legislative process and governmental oversight.

Building

The Assembly convenes in a distinctive circular building located in the center of Pristina, near the Government building and the Mother Teresa Square. The modern structure, often referred to as the "Fishbowl" or "The Egg" due to its architectural style, was originally built for the Provincial Committee of the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo during the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia era. It has been the parliament's home since the establishment of the UNMIK-administered assembly. The building houses the plenary hall, committee rooms, offices for deputies and the Speaker, and the administrative services led by the Secretary General.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Kosovo Category:Unicameral legislatures