Moldova declares state of emergency in energy and water amid drought and rising prices

Moldova's parliament voted on Tuesday to establish a 60-day state of emergency in the energy and water sectors, as the country faces rising fuel prices and a severe drought. The state of emergency, which is due to take effect on Saturday, allows Moldovan authorities to “respond quickly in the event of disruptions in energy, fuel and water supplies,” the government said in a statement. The government's proposal to establish this state of emergency was adopted by 54 votes for and 20 against, with 22 deputies not taking part in the vote.

Global fuel prices have been rising since the start of the Middle East war, while an unprecedented drought has lowered river levels in Europe, straining energy supplies. Moldova, a country of 2.4 million inhabitants that is a candidate for the EU, has significantly reduced its dependence on Russian energy sources since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, relying on imports from EU countries. With gas prices for Moldovan consumers expected to rise, the government is seeking to increase the budget to help vulnerable households pay their bills this winter, benefiting half of the country's population.

Moldova is also facing “a serious water shortage” on the Dniester and Prut rivers, which could affect drinking water supplies, according to the government. President Maia Sandu on Monday deemed a state of emergency necessary to allow authorities to act “if rapid decisions are needed to purchase fuel, if the flow of the Dniester continues to decrease, or if fuel prices continue to increase.” The leader of the pro-Russian Socialist Party, in opposition, Igor Dodon called on the government, on the social network Telegram, to “take a pragmatic approach and urgently open negotiations with Russia on the supply of gas”.