The first free elections in Kosovo were held in 2000 at the local level. In 2001 there was an election for the central Assembly. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) designed a Constitutional Framework which set the stage for the functioning of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG). The key institutions were the Assembly, the Government and the Presidency.

After the declaration of independence the PISG became the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

The Kosovan Assembly is unicameral, and has 120 deputies or members. Twenty of the seats are guaranteed for minority communities (10 seats set aside for the representatives of the Serb community, 4 seats for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, 3 seats for the Bosniak community, 2 seats for the Turkish community and 1 seat for the Gorani community). There are thirteen committees in the Assembly.

In Novermber 2007, there was a general election in Kosovo which brought the opposition into power. And in February 2008 Kosovo declared independence. Currently, Kosovo is governed by a grand coalition of the two biggest political parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). The opposition is fragmented into three political parties and has not been able to pose a united front. Recently there was a heightening of tensions among the PDK and the main opposition party, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).

Since the establishment of local institutions, and especially after the declaration of independence, the expectations of citizens regarding public services have been increasing. This has lead to a disillusionment of citizens with the political process.

The general disillusionment of Kosovan citizens with the institutions accounts largely for the fall in turnout numbers in elections over time. This disillusionment is evident from opinion polls, too. Satisfaction with the government and the Assembly, although oscillating in the period from 2002 to 2005, fell sharply and steadily from 2005 to late 2006, with little changes since 2007. Briefly, after the declaration of independence, Kosovans showed a greater approval of their leaders' work, but that has changed since. Political pessimism remained high throughout this time. (EWR UNDP reports). Also, worryingly, Kosovo continuously scores low on Freedom Houses' governance rankings.