Moldova faces rising energy crisis as gas tariffs increase
The opposition, in alliance with “their Kremlin friends,” aims to incite panic and undermine state institutions, stated Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, after the socialists announced this morning that they are initiating a motion of no confidence against the Recean Government over the energy crisis.
The Speaker, who also leads the ruling party, assured citizens that the country's leadership will ensure they get through the winter successfully.
"The opposition, which either skips parliamentary sessions or aligns itself with an aggressor state, has decided to initiate a motion of no confidence against the Government, citing ‘inability to take effective measures to protect citizens.’ I want to remind them that every year, as winter nears, Moldovans are threatened with freezing temperatures, a warning directly tied to the Kremlin 'friends' of this opposition," Grosu wrote on social media.
On November 29, the Socialist Party announced that it is initiating a motion of no confidence against the Government led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean. The socialists argue that the current Cabinet of Ministers is to blame for escalating a “prolonged crisis” in the energy sector and accuse it of “disastrous policies” and “inability” to implement effective measures to protect citizens and the economy.
The same day, the National Energy Regulatory Agency decided to raise the natural gas tariff by 3.62 lei. Starting December 1, citizens will pay 16.74 lei per cubic meter of gas, VAT included. This decision was made amid a protest organized by the socialists. The ANRE leadership acknowledged that the gas price increase could also raise heating tariffs.
The energy crisis facing the Republic of Moldova could be further exacerbated by uncertainties surrounding the supply of natural gas to the Transnistrian region starting January 1, when the current agreement for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expires.
Government authorities stated they are preparing for a “harsh winter,” taking into account the most pessimistic scenarios. In this context, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu is set to present a package of additional compensation measures for citizens today at 4:00 PM.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
