We regret to see that the Law Amending and Supplementing the Law on Public Officials (LPO) has been approved yesterday by Kosovo’s Assembly in the second reading without taking on board the extensive and consistent advice the EU has offered throughout the drafting process to align it with merit principles and EU standards. In addition, it does not adequately address the recommendations of the Constitutional Court from 2023 and risks going against them.

Our key concerns, raised in various EU opinions on the law, relates to the changes introduced to the managerial positions in civil service by allowing temporariness and instability through the introduction of time-bound mandates and external recruitments for all managerial positions, rather than security and predictability in careers of civil servants needed for its professionalisation. Additionally, it allows excessive discretion in the recruitment and transfer of civil servants undermining its impartiality.

We also regret to see that all such amendments to the LPO were submitted to Parliament without prior public consultations.

Public Administration Reform is an essential part of Kosovo’s EU path. Under the Stabilization and Association Agreement and Reform agenda, Kosovo has committed to developing a professional, efficient, and accountable public administration to bring Kosovo closer to the EU and for the benefit of the citizens. For these reasons, we expect Kosovo to fulfil these commitments and have a legislative framework in place that is in line with EU standards.