Joint Declaration of Civil Society Organizations

Political parties must reach an agreement on electing the President and ensure the functioning of institutions

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, believe that Kosovo should have functioning institutions with full mandates that fulfill their responsibilities towards citizens. The mandate entrusted by citizens carries a responsibility to respect the constitutional order and ensure the democratic functioning of institutions. We therefore call on parliamentary parties to engage immediately in reaching an agreement that enables the election of the President by 6 October, within the deadline set by the Constitutional Court.

Another failure to elect the President would lead to the dissolution of the Assembly and new elections. Following repeated institutional crises and successive electoral cycles, this would bring the country into another institutional deadlock, with no guarantee that elections would resolve the disagreements keeping this issue unsettled.

Institutional delays and possible new elections have implications beyond the election of the President. For two years, Kosovo’s institutions have operated with limited mandates or in a caretaker capacity. Another institutional deadlock would deepen this crisis and prolong political uncertainty, further weakening democracy and democratic oversight, opportunities for economic development, international relations, and citizens’ trust in state institutions.

Reaching an agreement on the President requires reciprocal compromise. We call on the parliamentary majority to remain open to candidates who can secure broader cross-party support. In turn, we expect opposition parties to offer concrete proposals and work towards a viable solution. We call on all parties to reconsider their initial positions and agree on the candidates, parliamentary support, and participation needed to complete the process within the deadline.

Electing the President through an agreement reached in accordance with the Constitution would enable the country to overcome the current deadlock and allow institutions to continue their work. Such an agreement does not require the majority and opposition to resolve their political differences, but only the institutional cooperation necessary to complete the process and ensure the functioning of the state. The President represents the unity of the people and guarantees the democratic functioning of institutions; the agreement should therefore be guided by this constitutional role.

As civil society organizations, we are ready to contribute to this effort by facilitating any discussions that may take place. In the remaining days, we expect willingness to engage in dialogue to be accompanied by clear and concrete steps towards reaching an agreement and completing the presidential election process within the deadline set by the Constitutional Court.

Signatory organizations:

Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture (ACDC)

Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC)

CEL Kosova – Qendra për Barazi dhe Liri

Civil Rights Program Kosovo – CRP/K

Community Building Mitrovica (CBM)

Democracy Plus (D+)

Demokraci për Zhvillim (D4D)

Dylberizm

Fondi për Zhvillim Komunitar (CDF)

Forumi Kosovar i Aftësisë së Kufizuar 

Forumi për Iniciativa Qytetare

Fourth Wave

Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS)

Handikos Istog

Iniciativa për Progres (INPO)

Iniciativa Qytetare Skenderaj

Instituti Demokratik i Kosovës (KDI)

Instituti GAP

Instituti i Kosovës për Drejtësi (IKD)

Instituti KLGI

Instituti Riinvest

INTEGRA NGO 

Këshilli për Mbrojtjen e të Drejtave dhe Lirive të Njeriut (KMDLNj)

Kosova -Women 4 Women

Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF)

Kosovo Advocacy and Development Centre (KADC)

Lëvizja FOL

NGO “Syri i Vizionit”

NGO ROMTEGRA

OMM Gjethi

Organizata e Personave me Aftësi të kufizuara-Handikos Kaçanik

Organizata Germin

Organizata për Demokraci, Anti-korrupsion dhe Dinjitet – “ÇOHU!”

Prishtina Institute for Political Studies (PIPS)

Qendra Kosovare për Studime Gjinore (QKSGj)

Qendra Kosovare për Studime të Sigurisë (QKSS)

Qendra për Politika dhe Avokim

Qendra për Zhvillimin e Grupeve Shoqërore (CSGD)

Rrjeti i Grave të Kosovës

Rrjeti i OJQ-ve AVONET

Rrjeti i OJQve të Grave Qeliza

SEKHMET Institute

ShL- Kosova

The Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRTC)