LDK sends controversial comments on rising electricity tariffs to ZRRE

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has sent its controversial comments to the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE) to raise electricity tariffs. From this party demand that there be no tariff hikes by 2023, while considering that the Government of Kosovo should subsidise all Kosovo citizens for electricity spending and reduce the value of electricity tax to zero.

This was made known at a conference for media by the member of the leadership of this subject, Xhafer Tahiri and MP Hykmete Bajrami, who also presented the proposals of this political subject for the ERE and the Government of Kosovo overcoming the energy crisis.

“The LDK has just started its comments at the ZRRE regarding the assessment report on raising tariffs for electricity. For the LDK to protect citizens' interests is vital through institutional mechanisms in this case, sending their comments to the Energy Regulatory Office, rejecting increased tariffs for electricity”, Tahiri said.

Democratic League of Kosovo MP Hykemte Bajrami said the Kosovo government has failed to manage the energy crisis, which has brought losses to Kosovo so far 120m euros.

Bajrami said the LDK will follow all institutional ways, including the Constitutional Court, to reject the decision to expensive electricity.

“The LDK will continue contributing to this battle on institutional roads. We today have delivered our comments, while if the proposal -- which is public, the LDK will follow the institutional path if there is a need for us even in the Constitutional Court -- will protect the rights of Kosovo citizens. The way the ZER has envisioned the establishment of electricity tariffs and the way the government has proposed distributing 75 million for subsidies is highly discriminatory. The government has decided that 75m euros to subsidise the tariffs of all households that they spent up to 600 kWh and also to subsidise all tariffs for the entire business community, including the most profitable activities they had persistently opposed at the time when the preliminary government had supported them through subsidisation of the salaries”, she said.

She said that raising electricity tariffs would further burden the lives of citizens, so as he said, they propose that in 2022 there will be no rising prices.

In addition to the proposal that electricity tariffs be subsidised for all Kosovo citizens indiscriminately, the LDK has proposed to the Government of Kosovo to reduce to zero the tax on value added to electricity.

“We have seen that the Government of Kosovo has pledged 75 million, with which it has decided to subsidise the family economies up to 600 KH and the business sector, we consider that the distribution of the government's subsidy should be done for all citizens indiscriminately because the separation of up to 600 kH is neither the standard of life nor is it any criterion, in fact, and we will contribute to the improvement of citizens' lives. We consider that this 75 million should subsidise electricity tariffs for all Kosovo citizens indiscriminately. We've proposed that, in fact, the Government of Kosovo will lower the tax on value added to zero on electricity, so let it be a help, too, because it doesn't mean that on one side Z. THREE to raise electricity tariffs, and on the other hand, it will be compounded by the introduction of value-added taxes on electricity. If the government gives up the tax on the value added to the whole year then the burden or the remaining share to be covered by the tariffs is about 21m euros, we have considered that since the Government of Kosovo must certainly find around 43 million to cover the electricity of four northern municipalities, the government must find another 21 million in order to cover the tariffs for all Kosovo citizens”, Bajrami said.

Bajrami said how the LDK has proposed that public discussion of new tariffs be opened in June, which could then be entered into force in 2023.

Bajrami: Z THREE in June to start discussion on tariffs, decision to go into effect in 2023

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We have proposed since June, when the cold season Z ends RRE, to open public discussions on the discussion of new tariffs and warn citizens to have a transitional and preparation period to switch to alternative heating systems, for new tariffs could be made in the second half of 2022, which we propose should go into effect in 2023<18x1>, she said.

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) within the framework of proposals for the ERE and the Government of Kosovo has also proposed the creation of the Fund for Care for People in Need, as well as unblocking all investments in the energy sector.

The Energy Regulatory Office board has held meetings today, when there is the deadline this institution will accept comments on the expensive power issue proposed through a consultative report released on January 17th.