Rama conditions withdrawal from initiative for tax on non-residents

After much criticism of the proposal to charge for entry into Pristina, the mayor, Përparim Rama, said that it aims to secure financial resources for major infrastructure projects, especially for the construction of the city ring road. There have also been reactions from civil society organizations, which have described this initiative as discriminatory.

The procedures that the Municipality of Pristina has initiated to implement the initiative of imposing a fee for vehicles entering the capital, according to Mayor Përparim Rama, are related to the need to secure financial resources for major infrastructure projects, in particular for the construction of the city ring road.
In a Facebook status, Rama emphasized that the idea of ​​charging fees for vehicles that are not registered in the capital is only a proposal for public discussion and not a decision made.

"The reason why we are considering this option is simple: Pristina urgently needs major infrastructure investments, especially for the construction of the capital's ring road, a project that would reduce traffic jams, ease traffic, reduce pollution and improve the quality of life for everyone. I reiterate that this is not a planned or imposed tariff. It is being discussed as an alternative in case EBRD funds continue to remain blocked by this government," Rama said, following the opposition that the tax warning has sparked.

Regarding Mayor Rama's claims that EBRD funds for the Pristina ring road project are being blocked, KOHA has requested clarification from the Ministry of Finance, but has not received a response by the time of publication of the chronicle.

And, according to Rama, the financial package for the implementation of this project amounted to around 206 million euros, where up to 40 percent of the amount was a grant, funds that would not have to be returned by citizens.

"There is a very simple solution: unblocking the EBRD funds and allowing the city ring road project to be implemented. If these funds are unblocked by the Government, there will be no fees for anyone," he said.

According to Rama, the fee could be 1 to 2 euros for vehicles entering the center of Pristina, while up to 10 euros for large trucks circulating in the center.

However, Rama stated that the final decision will belong to the citizens.

But the draft regulation published by the Municipality of Pristina for public consultation states that "every vehicle registered outside the territory of the capital, which enters the area designated by the Capital, is subject to payment of a tax in the amount of 10 euros per entry", without mentioning any specific category of vehicles, such as trucks.

The head of Vetëvendosje assembly members in the capital, Gëzim Sveçla, reacted to Rama's statement. 

He said that Rama's stance is a setback. According to him, Rama is not even telling the truth about the issue of the value that is envisaged as a tax.

According to Besnik Muçaj from the Kosovo Institute for Local Governance, the proposal to impose the tax is discriminatory, as the capital already benefits from additional funds from the central level precisely because of the role it has in providing services to citizens of other municipalities. 

The draft regulation also foresees the establishment of new tariffs for 43 categories of economic activities, with a value ranging from 300 to 3 thousand euros.