Electricity price hike opposed, protests announced

Starting next month, electricity bills are expected to be more expensive for citizens. This is after the Energy Regulatory Office has proposed an increase of about 15 percent. This proposal is being opposed by citizens, who have also announced protests.

For this reason, the campaign "Not a cent more" has already been launched on social networks. Citizens say that patience has come to an end.

"If prices had been normal in all areas, we would have been able to afford this price somehow. But, 15 percent is a bit enormous. It is worrying when you know that prices have also increased in other consumer goods," said Bekim Jashari, a citizen.

Shpend Maxhera, also a citizen, said that citizens' awareness needs to be further increased and they need to be active in exerting the necessary pressure on the government to take greater care of their well-being. "Because we are seeing every day that even the prices of the basic basket are increasing non-stop. I think that citizens need to be more active," he said.

Meanwhile, citizen Adrian Maliqi said that prices should be based on citizens' income. "It is worrying for everyone, especially for those with lower salaries," he said.

Read too A campaign against electricity price hikes is launched

The tariff increase has also been opposed by businesses.

"This decision is considered to have been made without proper consultations with businesses and without a proper analysis of the consequences that this increase may bring to local producers. The repeated increase of 15% is happening only two years after such an increase was made by ERO and its consequences continue to be present on businesses," the Chamber of Commerce said.

Economists state that compared to the standard of living in the country, there should currently be no increase in tariffs.

"There should be no increase in tariffs at the moment, as long as Kosovo is facing low wages and consumers are unable to pay their bills. Even so, there are extraordinary complaints about these bills," said Lulzim Beqiri, an economist.

The price increase was proposed following requests from energy distribution operators.

Until March 28, citizens and other interested parties have the deadline to send their comments on the ERO report. /RTK/