Lawsuit by cosumers' group: 'Electricity price hikes violate Constitution'

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The Consumer Protection Association (TükoDer) has filed a lawsuit against the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) due to the electricity price hikes.

"Let alone protecting the consumer, the EPDK acted with the motive of exorbitant hikes to increase the profits of electricity companies," Aziz Koçal, the head of the association, said today (February 18) at a press conference in İstanbul.

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The EPDK's price tariffs violate articles 172 (protection of the consumer), 167 (prevention of cartelization) and 2 (social state) of the Constitution, the association claimed in its lawsuit.

The agency also did not take into account the Universal Declaration of Consumer Rights, it alleged.

"The first article of the declaration is consumers' right to meet their basic needs," said Koçal. For this reason, he said, making profit cannot be the main motive in determining electricity prices and the public interest should be of top priority.

Also, Koçal noted, the EPDK does not have an unlimited power and authority to determine the prices, which should have a scientific and technical basis.

The electricity prices were sharply increased at the start of the year, sparking public backlash and protests.

Previously, several other consumers' organizations, the Union of Bar Associations of Turkey (TBB) and opposition parties filed lawsuits against the price hikes. (HA/VK)