THE IMPACT OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM ON THE PARTY SYSTEM-THE CASE OF KOSOVO
THE IMPACT OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM ON THE PARTY SYSTEM-THE CASE OF KOSOVO

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyses the impact of the electoral system on the party system and political stability in Kosovo. Because of the particular socio-political circumstances in Kosovo, and the post war situation, the transition and the process of democratic institution building was slow and conditioned by the rules of an international administration. After the independence of Kosovo (2008) the United Nation Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) heritage continues to have an impact on the political system of Kosovo. The party system continues to be unstable, both in the ideological sense and in the formation of post-election governments. The Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system with a single, multi-member electoral constituency and reserved seats (20) for minorities in parliament makes impossible to have a stable majority in Kosovo. The main hypothesis of the paper is: The Proportional Representation (PR) electoral systems in Kosovo, for the period of analysis between 2001 and 2017 has a direct impact on the party system, to have an unstable multiparty system. The article uses techniques of qualitative methodology to explore the consequences of the electoral system on the party system in Kosovo, before and after its independence. The conclusions argue that that Kosovo has an unstable party system that negatively impacts on the country's governance system. Based on the findings, the article argues that there is a need for specific changes in Kosovo’s electoral system in order to have a stable political party system, which will result also in a stable government. We propose changes of the electoral system in Kosovo, from one Multi-Member Constituency (MMC), to be divided into 7 +1 constituency for minorities, in order to have a stable party system, thereby more efficient and durable government.

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