18 minutes agoThe EU reacts sharply to the Law for Public Officials: He heard neither our recommendation nor the Constitutional
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)The European Union has reacted strongly to power in Kosovo, as the latter did not listen to the concerns of either the EU or the Constitutional Court, nor was it discussed in advance with the experts that effect the law. The law that was dropped at the Constitutional Court in 2023 risks falling back into the EU, as the majority [...]
The law that was overturned at the Constitutional Court in 2023 risks falling back into the EU, as the majority is ignoring the recommendations at all.
Full announcement:
Statement for adoption of the Law on Change and Fulfillment of the Law for Public Officials
We regret that the Law on Changing and Fulfilling the Law for Public Officials (LZP) was adopted yesterday by the Assembly of Kosovo in the second reading, without taking into account the broad and consistent advice the EU has given during the drafting process, to harmonise it with the principles of merit and EU standards. In addition, it does not address the recommendations of the 2023 Constitutional Court and risks going against them.
Our main concerns, which have been raised in different EU opinions of this law, concern changes that have been made in leadership positions in the civil service, allowing timelessness and instability through determining time-limited mandates and external recruiting for all leading positions, rather than security and predictability in the career of civil servants needed for professionalisation. Moreover, it allows excessive discrimination on recruiting and transferring civil servants, undermining his impartiality.
We also regret that all such LZP changes have been handed over to parliament without public preliminary consultations.
Public Administration Reform is an essential part of Kosovo's road towards the EU. Under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement of the Reformation, Kosovo has pledged to develop a professional, efficient and accounting public administration to bring Kosovo closer to the EU and for the good of citizens. For these reasons, we expect Kosovo to meet these pledges and have a legislative framework that is in line with EU standards.
