EU Enlargement: Kosovo Slows Down Reforms, Commission Says
The European Commission's 2026 Kosovo Report found no progress on the judiciary and limited progress against corruption. Two early elections and a stalled parliament weakened institutions, and turnout fell from 45% in December 2025 to 37% in the 2026 vote.
In EU enlargement, Kosovo slows down reforms, according to the European Commission's 2026 Kosovo Report, which found no progress in improving the performance of the country's judiciary. The Commission also said the expected results in the fight against corruption have not been achieved.
Kosovo applied for EU membership almost four years ago. The Commission says it has stalled on key reforms required to join the 27-member bloc.
The report is part of the EU's Enlargement Package. It covers September 1, 2025 to September 1, 2026, and includes some later developments. This year's edition also marks 10 years since the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo entered into force.
Political crisis weighed on institutions
Two rounds of early parliamentary elections, a non-functional Parliament and a government with limited powers marked most of the period. The Commission said all three affected the performance of institutions.
It assessed the elections as generally competitive, peaceful and well-administered. It also identified attempts to politicize the Central Election Commission.
Turnout averaged 45% in the December 2025 elections. It fell to 37% in the 2026 electoral process. The report says this points to growing voter fatigue and a degree of public dissatisfaction with frequent elections.
Judiciary and corruption
The report places Kosovo between an early stage of preparation and a certain level of preparation. It states that Kosovo made no progress in the functioning of the judiciary.
Undue influence from internal and external factors, such as political and economic interests, continues to be a significant obstacle to judicial independence and impartiality. The Commission says that influence has intensified in some respects.
The report also raises serious concerns about amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo. It says they bear on Kosovo's international commitments and on the rule of law, particularly judicial independence and accountability for war crimes.
On corruption, the Commission recorded limited progress. Final court decisions and convictions rose significantly in cases not involving high-level officials. They declined in high-level cases.
Whistleblower reports to the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption almost doubled from the previous year. The report reads this as a growing willingness to report corrupt practices.
Media freedom
The Commission also rated progress on freedom of expression and media freedom as limited. The media landscape remains pluralistic, it said, but faces challenges with ownership transparency and financial sustainability.
Authorities registered 35 cases of physical and verbal attacks or threats against journalists during the period, a significant decrease from the previous year.
