Rising energy prices in Moldova have heightened political tensions. The state energy company Energocom filed an application with the National Energy Regulatory Agency (NARE) requesting a 0.37 dollar per cubic meter increase (excluding VAT) to the natural gas tariff. If the request is approved, the tariff will rise from 0.82 dollars to 1.19 dollars, a 37% increase.
The company cited the rise in European natural gas purchase prices as the reason for the hike request.
Vladimir Filat, the leader of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDPM) and former prime minister, announced that they would take action if NARE approves the price increase. In a statement on his Telegram channel, Filat said, "On the day NARE decides on the tariff increase, the LDPM, together with all citizens who will take to the streets against the incompetent, lying, corrupt, and disrespectful government, will be in front of the NARE building."
The former prime minister claimed that the government was trying to shift the responsibility onto outgoing Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu by quickly taking this decision before a new prime minister is appointed. Filat described such actions as "a cynical attempt to shift the consequences of their own decisions onto the shoulders of citizens and hide the real culprits."
The prime minister's post in Moldova became vacant on July 3 with the resignation of Prime Minister Munteanu. President Maia Sandu, at the initiative of the ruling Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), nominated Moldovan banker Vasile Tofan, who lives in Ukraine, as the prime ministerial candidate. The opposition, however, boycotted the consultations called by the president, arguing that these talks are a mere formality and that the candidate was chosen behind closed doors by the ruling majority.
