Local self-government and administration of Kosovo

Kosovo's local self-government reform became a prominent issue in early October 2002, with the publication of the Seven Planning Points for Mitrovica by the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Michael Steiner. Steiner's plan was to decentralize local government in exchange for Kosovo Serb participation in the October 2002 local elections. Although the offer to the Serbian community was a dubious success in this regard, decentralization remained on the agenda, with the Secretary-General's Special Representative calling for a broader process involving all Kosovo municipalities.