DEFENDING DEMOCRACY: KOSOVO'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT AND THE BATTLE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY.

The Constitutional Court of Kosovo, envisioned as a cornerstone institution for upholding constitutional order and safeguarding fundamental human rights and freedoms, has assumed a pivotal role in the nation's legal landscape. Since its establishment, it has become a prominent figurehead in addressing claims of constitutional violations, often surpassing the expectations of its drafters and the governing law. This paper aims to delve into the court's transformation and its influence on Kosovo's political landscape, focusing on key cases that have shaped its evolution. It examines the court's pivotal role, the challenges it faces, and its lasting impact on Kosovo's legal and political landscape by analyzing the constitutional provisions and other legal acts that govern the Court's competencies. Additionally, it explores the main court decisions and its practices to illustrate how its work manifests in practice. This paper aims to explore the mechanisms and entities responsible for assessing the constitutionality of legal measures, constitutional amendments, and statutes within the context of Kosovo's legal system. It concludes that the Constitutional Court of Kosovo has emerged as the most influential entity in the institutional landscape of Kosovo. It has assumed the primary role in upholding constitutional order, the rule of law, and democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]