Kosovo’s new map of power: governance and crime in the wake of independence

The nationalist euphoria that greeted Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008 hasgiven way to a bitter aftertaste.

Within the small Balkan country, in Brussels and in the
capitals of its main foreign supporters, deepening disenchantment has taken hold. At the core of this disappointment is the performance of the first leaders of post-independence Kosovo.

Alleged corruption, abuses of power, murky ties between politicians and business, authoritarian reactions to the media and the continuing existence of inter-ethnic tensions inthe flashpoint of north Mitrovica seemingly amount to serious weaknesses in the country’s capacity for responsible and accountable governance. Recent reports of senior politicians’involvement in wartime atrocities have only served to deepen the gloom.

This paper examines exactly how post-independence Kosovo is governed.