Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that unjustified profits at the expense of citizens will be prevented, as he presented the draft law on temporary measures for basic products in cases of market destabilization.
In his speech at Friday’s government meeting, the head of government described the entry into force of this law as necessary to prevent abuses in the name of ongoing crises and artificial price increases during global crises.
“Here we are facing new crises in a global context that are now affecting our citizens’ pockets. Therefore, we are bringing back this draft law as a necessary response to a reality and experience our citizens have gone through. Sudden price increases, market uncertainty, and lack of effective protection mechanisms. With this law, we are not entering the free market; on the contrary, we are protecting the freedom of the market from abuse. This draft law establishes a necessary balance between the free functioning of the market and the state’s responsibility to protect the public interest in extraordinary situations. It creates clear instruments for temporary intervention based on facts, avoiding long-term market distortions. This law guarantees supply and affordable prices for basic products in times of crisis. It prevents speculation and unjustified profits at the expense of citizens. It also ensures a rapid institutional response when the market becomes destabilized. For the first time, we are creating an independent mechanism, a board that decides based on data and public interest, and not on narrow interests. EU countries have such mechanisms,” he said.
Kurti added that since coming to power in 2020 and later in 2021, they have faced global crises that have also affected the citizens of Kosovo.
“We have faced major global challenges, challenges that have placed even developed countries in difficult situations. But what I can say with full conviction is that we have responded to each of these challenges properly, with seriousness and sincerity. We have assisted every social category, especially those most in need,” he added.
In addition, Kurti said that today’s meeting would also approve the draft law on mandatory health insurance.
“We aim for people in need to have better social protection, helping reduce poverty and inequality. This draft law creates a fair mechanism of social solidarity where everyone contributes according to their ability and benefits according to their needs, making the system more inclusive and fairer,” Kurti emphasized.
