Amid clashes and disagreements, the Parliamentary Committee on Economy has given the green light to the Draft Law on Energy, which Energy Minister Artane Rizvanolli described as a law that protects consumers. Meanwhile, opposition members of the committee criticized the bill.

Minister Rizvanolli said the law provides better protection for vulnerable consumers.

According to her, the document is drafted in line with European practices, and if Kosovo manages to adopt it by June 31 of this year, it could benefit from €9 million under the Growth Plan.

However, criticism of the Energy Draft Law was raised by PDK MP Ferat Shala, who described it as harmful, centralizing, and undemocratic.

There was also criticism from LDK MP Janina Ymeri, who said the energy draft law gives more powers to the ministry while diminishing the role of the Energy Regulatory Office.

She also said the draft law did not go through public consultations.

During her clarifications to LDK MP Janina Ymeri, Minister Rizvanolli said that public consultations had been held, but they took place at a time when MP Ymeri was not an energy expert.

The LDK MP later said she did not participate in the public consultations because she was preparing the dossier on the energy sector, which is now under investigation.

Rizvanolli responded that it was interesting how MP Ymeri was aware of alleged manipulations at a time when no one else knew.

In the discussion, Vetëvendosje MP Taulant Kelmendi also intervened, calling LDK MP Ymeri an “expert of the last months.”

The debate on the Energy Draft Law in the Economy Committee continued with another clash between PDK MP Ferat Shala and LVV MP Rozeta Hajdari, who also chairs the committee.

It began when Hajdari commented on the draft law, while Shala described her work as a “bad example” from her time as Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade.

The Economy Committee also had on its agenda the review of the President’s decision to return the Consumer Protection Law for reconsideration, but due to additional consultations it was postponed to a later meeting.

During the session, a working group was also formed for the Draft Law on temporary measures for essential prod