On Thursday, May 29, the main entrances to Prishtina will be blocked for two hours by businesses protesting the upcoming liberalization of the electricity market, scheduled to take effect on June 1.
The Kosovo Chamber of Commerce has issued a call to businesses, announcing a peaceful protest lasting two hours, while warning that protests will continue until their demands are met: postponement of the market liberalization and the start of a dialogue to find an acceptable transition solution for the private sector.
From 10:00 to 12:00, the following entrances to Prishtina will be blocked:
Blockade Locations:
- Entrance from Veternik / Gjilan – from Albi Mall down through Veternik, blocking access from Ferizaj, Gjilan, and the Airport.
- Entrance from Fushë-Kosova / Mitrovica – blocked at the Grand Roundabout near Lakrishtja (Dukagjini Tower).
- Entrance from Podujeva / Vranjevc – blocked near the Raiffeisen Bank intersection, cutting off routes from Podujeva and limiting movement from Dragodan toward Shkabaj/Orlloviq.
The roads will be blocked by vehicles of businesses affected by the government’s decision to move to an open electricity market.
If demands are not met, the Chamber warns of longer protests (up to four hours) and a complete shutdown of access to Prishtina.
“In the absence of institutional response, the protest will continue daily, all day, until there is reflection and concrete action from the responsible institutions,” the statement reads.
The Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE) has not clarified how the transition to the open market will affect energy tariffs for businesses with over €10 million in turnover or more than 50 employees. According to the Chamber, current offers in the open market are up to 200% more expensive.
