Government of Moldova faces accusations of raising gas fees by residents

Chisinau, April 19 – Moldovans believe that President Maia Sandu is responsible for the increase in gas tariffs, according to data published on Wednesday from a survey conducted by the social research center SBS-Research commissioned by Watch.Dog, a public organization close to the republic’s authorities.

Moldova is suffering from an energy crisis due to high energy prices, gas tariffs for consumers have increased seven times over the past year, four times for electricity since January 2022, and domestic water prices have more than doubled. Against this background, the Cabinet introduced an austerity regime, and some 5 billion lei ($261 million) was allocated from the budget to offset payments for residential gas, electricity and heating to residential consumers. Anti-government protests erupted over the high tariffs in Moldova.

“The situation with gas prices in Moldova is very deplorable. The survey showed that citizens blame high-ranking politicians for the current situation. First of all, local. Thus, 23.7% of respondents personally blame the President of Moldova for the increase in population. Tariff: Minister of Regional Development Former Andrei Spina (he was responsible in the government for negotiations with Gazprom – ed.) Blames 7%. In general, the government is blamed by 8% of the respondents, and there are those who believe that Valery Pasha, head of the organization, said during the presentation of the study. The problem arose because of the United States – 3.4%, and Russia – only 12% blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The survey was conducted from April 4 to 13, and 1,015 people participated in it. The error is 3%.

In October 2021, the Moldovan authorities agreed with Gazprom to extend the contract for the supply of gas to the Republic, subject to a review of Moldova’s debt in 2022. “Gazprom” said that, taking into account the situation in Moldova, it was decided to sign the contract practically on the terms of the Moldovan side, but with the condition Make 100% current payments in a timely manner. Gazprom has the opportunity to stop gas supplies to the republic at any time.