GAP and KLGI oppose the entrance fee in Pristina: The draft contains discriminatory provisions

The GAP Institute and the Kosovo Local Governance Institute (KLGI) have requested the withdrawal of provisions they consider discriminatory from the new draft regulation of the Municipality of Pristina on municipal taxes, fees and fines, as well as the organization of a separate and structured public consultation process.

In a joint response on Wednesday, the two organizations expressed concern about the content of the draft that is currently under public consultation, assessing that some of the proposed provisions risk violating the principles of equality, proportionality and fair treatment of citizens and businesses.

According to them, the draft envisages the imposition of municipal fees for economic activities without providing a clear calculation methodology or an analysis of the economic impact. Also, the proposal to impose a fee of 10 euros for vehicles registered outside Pristina that enter the territory of the capital has also aroused objections.

However, in a reaction today, the mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, stressed that it is being considered that the fee for cars entering the center of the capital be 1-2 euros, and for trucks it will be 10 euros. He stressed that these fees will not be necessary if the Government manages to unblock the funds of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) dedicated to the construction of the city ring road.

GAP and KLGI assess that such measures create unequal treatment between citizens and economic entities, risking a violation of the principle of non-discrimination.

The organizations recall that Pristina is the only municipality in Kosovo that benefits from an additional grant from the state budget due to its status as the capital, receiving around 20 million euros per year. According to them, this financial support aims to address the additional administrative and functional burden of the city, as well as to create better development conditions for all citizens.

"In this context, municipal policies that directly affect businesses and citizens should be based on the principle of non-discrimination and not create unequal burdens for certain categories," the response states.

GAP and KLGI have called on the Municipality of Pristina to abandon provisions that produce discriminatory or exclusionary treatment, to conduct separate consultations with affected groups, and to provide a detailed analysis of the impact of the proposed changes.

According to them, a regulation with such a wide-ranging impact should not be addressed through a formal general consultation, but through direct discussions with businesses, citizens, and interest groups.

Finally, the two organizations emphasize that municipal regulations should contribute to the improvement of services and the sustainable development of the city, guaranteeing equal treatment for all citizens and businesses.