Experts on Parlicov's resignation: He secured energy stability in a complex regional situation
The resignation is a political consequence and comes in the context in which the Government had announced that tariffs would not increase for natural gas, although Minister Parlicov is an expert in the field, who ensured energy security in an extremely complicated regional context, writes the columnist of "Ziarul Național", Nicolae Negru. Watchdog expert, Eugen Muravschi, claims that we are on the verge of an energy crisis not because the competences of the relevant minister are limited and he does not have the leverage to coordinate the tenders.
"I tend to agree with former Minister Parlicov because it is not the competence of the Ministry to procure gas, to give concrete instructions to energy companies to do one way or another. The Ministry must deal with coordination. But the minister’s direct powers are limited in terms of public tenders, he has no leverage. As far as I understand, the minister has taken the mission of transition from a free market to an efficient and functional market seriously, and this means less political interference in the energy sector. And the minister, on the one hand, he is asked not to get politically involved in the activities of enterprises, and on the other hand, he is reproached for not getting involved enough,” explained expert Eugen Muravschi.
The expert argues that the Republic of Moldova is not only a small market, but also a new one, and explains that, starting in May, things should work like this: Moldovagaz announces a tender, sets the volumes and waits for offers from market traders. “There were unrealistic conditions: to buy the entire volume of gas for the winter at once, then requesting a 20% flexibility margin, plus payment that was to be organised after the gas was delivered. No one at Moldovagaz knew how to organize tenders, which was a case of gross incompetence. Either that situation was created intentionally, as they knew that there would be no offer on the market. Russia is deliberately targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, thus destabilizing the regional market, because Ukraine, from an energy exporter, has turned into an importer. Thus, market prices have increased due to the energy deficit in the regional market.”
“Ziarul Național” columnist, Nicolae Negru, announced that the resignation comes in a context in which the prime minister declared that there would be no increases and that these are the political consequences of such a decision, reflected in personnel policy. “Let’s not dramatize. When mistakes are made, someone has to bear the consequences. I regret that Mr. Parlicov was dismissed, he is an expert whom I greatly appreciate, especially for his contributions in the field of energy security. There were shortcomings caused by the information war. The supply of gas to the population is a very sensitive issue and is linked to the actions of the Russian Gazprom, in an extremely complicated regional context, also marked by war.”
We remind you that Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced the resignation of Victor Parlicov, the interim general director of the “Energocom” enterprise, Victor Bînzari, and Sergiu Tofilat from the position of member of the “Moldovagaz” Supervisory Board and announced that he would ask the Parliament to establish a state of emergency in the energy sector from December 16 until the situation regarding the supply of citizens with natural gas is overcome. The Head of the Executive will temporarily take over the portfolio of the Ministry of Energy.
Former Minister of Energy, Victor Parlicov, dismissed from office, believes that the main person responsible for the current situation is the company "Energocom", which allegedly missed out on purchasing gas at advantageous prices at the beginning of the year. While Parlicov claims that, from his point of view, he managed the field efficiently.
The dismissal of some officials generated a wave of criticism from the political class in Chisinau.
Parlicov was appointed to this position on February 16, 2023.
