The institutional stalemate is costing Kosovo municipalities

After the June 9th elections, Ibrahimi estimates that the faster the creation of central institutions has direct impact in municipalities, because much of the decisions affecting the functioning of local government depend on the functioning of central-level institutions.

“Today municipalities are facing numerous legal and financial challenges, starting with issues related to collective contracts, completing judicial decisions, financing municipal competencies, adopting legislation affecting local government, and addressing many other problems requiring central decision-making” Ibrahim said of IndexOnline.

He says the formation of institutions is also important because municipalities are awaiting approval for the revision of their budgets, for 2026.

Many municipalities need to re-design budgetary means, as a result of the financial burden created by the implementation of collective contracts, but also to address the real needs of citizens and new development priorities. This requires the normal functioning of institutional mechanisms at the central level”, Ibrahimi added.

Important, according to Ibrahim, is also creating opportunities for municipalities to benefit from the EU Growth Plan.

“Communs are hosters of many reforms and investments in the field, so the lack of functional institutions can slow reform processes, delay development projects and limit opportunities for the absorption of European funds. ”

According to the AKK director, municipalities are affected by many issues, such as collective contracts, the creation of the fourth grant for capital investments, as well as strengthening dialogue in municipalities and advancing local finance reform.

These also increase the interest and need of citizens so that as soon as the country has new, stable and functional institutions.