Reviewing decentralisation requires a national consensus

The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) and the London-based Institute for Local Democracy (LGiU), United Kingdom, today (Thursday) held a conference at Sheshi 21 entitled “The Need to Review Decentralisation in Kosovo”.

The conference addressed the following dimensions and approaches: Why should decentralisation in Kosovo be reviewed? What are the Challenges and Perspectives of local governance in Kosovo? How far has the reform process come and what is the way forward? What is the political view on decentralisation in Kosovo? How has decentralisation unfolded? Should it be reviewed in Kosovo?

During this ceremony it was concluded that decentralisation has a political approach and needs to be reviewed in many respects: the fiscal and financial aspect of municipal power should be reviewed, the criteria for capital investments made by line ministries should be reviewed, and the aspect of public enterprises should be reviewed since there is no accountability, along with many other areas that directly affect citizens’ lives.

Particular emphasis was placed on the establishment of new municipalities, the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, the issue of indicted mayors, the relationship between the mayor and the municipal assembly, the creation of a formula that analyses activities at local level, the clarification of competences and the political drive behind this process.

Based on the aspects mentioned above, it was found that there is a need to review the process of decentralisation as a whole and to take measures to improve the situation we now face.

The Executive Director of the Kosovo Local Government Institute, Mr Besnik Tahiri, said that they are presenting a first draft in order to address the challenges, opportunities and difficulties facing the local level of government. He stressed that Decentralisation is never technical but political, since results in the municipality are the results of a state.

“The aspect of public enterprises must be reviewed since there is no accountability; the criteria for capital investments made by line ministries must be reviewed; the fiscal and financial aspect of municipal power must be reviewed. The mayor is strong on paper but weak in operational terms”, Tahiri said.

As regards the establishment of new municipalities, Mr Tahiri stressed that Kosovo does not need more municipalities.

For his part, Mr Jonathan Carr-West, Executive Director of LGiU, said that this is a very important analysis with good recommendations. According to him, local governance is important because people live in a world where they face many complex challenges.

“All areas such as education and health are better managed by the local level. The state alone cannot solve the problems. We need agencies with people from the local level who have control, and that is why there must be a functional decentralisation programme”, said Carr-West.

Bajram Gecaj, Deputy Minister of Local Government, stressed that after the war Kosovo emerged completely destroyed, including its political system. Local governance required a complete redesign.

“Initially, laws and regulations were issued to improve various issues. Advanced elements were put in place, but they were not adapted to the circumstances at that time. In 2008 the formulation of a redesign of local governance based on the Ahtisaari agreement began”, he said.

At this event, the publication entitled “The Need to Review Decentralisation in Kosovo” was presented by Mr Besnik Tahiri – Executive Director of the Kosovo Local Government Institute. This was followed by keynote speeches from the event’s guests, starting with Mr Jonathan Carr – West, Executive Director of LGiU; Mr Bajram Gecaj, Deputy Minister of the MLGA; Mr Naim Ismajli, Mayor of Shtime; Ms Besa Luzha, Executive Director of FES; Mr Lutfi Haziri, Mayor of Gjilan; and Mr Glauk Konjufca, Member of the Kosovo Parliament.

Other participants in the event included media representatives, officials of the Ministry of Local Government Administration, mayors, representatives of the diplomatic corps in Kosovo, representatives of local and central government, local and international organisations, various donors and other guests of honour.

Media Communication Office
Kosovo Local Government Institute