The year 2026 has begun with bad news for the citizens of Kosovo. Despite the already difficult economic situation, water bills will increase by up to 40% starting in January, and electricity prices are also expected to rise.
The Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms (KMDLNj) strongly reacted to these decisions, emphasizing that citizens are already facing unaffordable bills.
According to KMDLNj, the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRrE) has announced a review of electricity prices at a time when “these bills have become unmanageable for the majority of Kosovar families and are suffocating businesses, a significant number of which are on the verge of bankruptcy.”
In its statement, KMDLNj accuses institutions of lacking the will to protect citizens. “Due to the government’s negligence and lack of willingness to protect citizens, ZRrE continuously penalizes consumers on ethnic and political grounds while protecting oligarchs involved in the Energy Mafia,” the statement reads.
The organization warns that the increase in water and electricity prices will have a domino effect on the economy. “KMDLNj cautions that rising water and electricity costs will produce chain effects, leading to significantly higher prices for other essential goods and services,” it added.
While water and waste bills may still be somewhat manageable, KMDLNj points out that the electricity situation is alarming. “Electricity bills are unaffordable for most households and businesses,” the statement underlines.
KMDLNj has called for citizen action, urging mass protests. “KMDLNj calls on the citizens of Kosovo to oppose these increases by protesting en masse and blocking the offices of ZRrE, KESCO, and private operators,” the statement says.
The organization also urges political parties to defend the public interest. “KMDLNj invites both the government and opposition to protect citizens’ interests rather than the Energy Mafia,” it states, while demanding transparency in electricity collection in northern Kosovo and clarification of electricity price differences.
Finally, KMDLNj warns that inaction will further worsen the social situation. “If citizens and their political representatives do not defend their interests, the spiral of price increases will only expand, flagrantly violating human rights, destroying quality of life, and pushing businesses toward bankruptcy.”
