Constitution of Kosovo

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Politics of Kosovo
Constitution and law
Executive President Vjosa Osmani Prime Minister Albin Kurti Second Kurti cabinet Government
Legislature Assembly Chairman: Glauk Konjufca
Judiciary Constitutional Court Kosovo Judicial Council
Administrative divisions Districts Municipalities
Recent elections Presidential: 2011 2016 2021 Parliamentary: 2014 2017 2019 Local: 2009 2013 2017 2021 Referendums: 1991 2012 2024 Political parties PDK LDK AAK SLS VV AKR
Foreign policy Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign relations Visa policy Declaration of independence Diplomatic recognition ICJ advisory opinion Accession to European Union Diplomatic missions in Kosovo / of Kosovo Brussels Agreement Belgrade–Pristina negotiations
Other countries
v t e

The Constitution of Kosovo (Albanian: Kushtetuta e Kosovës, Serbian: Устав Косовa, Ustav Kosova) is the supreme law (article 16) of the Republic of Kosovo, a territory of unresolved political status. Article four of the constitution establishes the rules and separate powers of the three branches of the government. The unicameral Assembly of the Republic exercises the legislative power, the executive branch led by the President and the Prime Minister which are responsible for implementing laws and the judicial system headed by the Supreme Court.^[1]

The constitution was signed on 7 April 2008 at 13:00 local time at the national library in Pristina.^[2] The constitution was ratified on 9 April and came to effect on 15 June 2008.^[3][4]

The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo can be changed through the amendment process (article 144). Constitutional amendments are added to it, altering its effect. The foreword of the constitution reads:

We, the people of Kosovo, determined to build a future of Kosovo as a free, democratic and peace-loving country that will be a homeland to all of its citizens; committed to the creation of a state of free citizens that will guarantee the rights of every citizen, civil freedoms and equality of all citizens before the law; committed to the state of Kosovo as a state of economic wellbeing and social prosperity; convinced that the state of Kosovo will contribute to the stability of the region and entire Europe by creating relations of good neighborliness and cooperation with all neighboring countries; convinced that the state of Kosovo will be a dignified member of the family of peace-loving states in the world; with the intention of having the state of Kosovo fully participating in the processes of Euro-Atlantic integration; in a solemn manner, we approve the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo.

Article 7, ensures the values and freedoms by the rule of law, equality same as respect, gender equality and social justice and the neutrality towards religion by the article 8 of the Constitution.^[5][6] The constitution guides Kosovo's law and political culture.^[7] Writers were influenced mostly by two documents: the Ahtisaari plan^[8] and the fourhand – and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244^[9] which was the base document for a period from 10 June 1999.^[10] The final authority for the interpretation of the constitution of the Republic of Kosovo is the Constitutional Court of Kosovo.

Kosovo lawyers and politicians have repeatedly called for amendments or a thorough revision of the constitution. Proposals include removing the prohibition of unification with Albania (art. 1.3), allowing direct elections for the president, and improving the language of the document.^[11] Alternative draft constitutions have also been proposed, before and after the declaration of independence.^[12][13]