Moldova declares 60-day energy and hydrology emergency amid gas price surge and Dniester River shallowing

CHISINAU, September 26. /TASS/. Moldova has declared a state of energy and hydrology emergency for 60 days over the threat of disruptions in the supply of electricity and fuel, rising gas prices, and the critical shallowing of the Dniester River, which supplies Chisinau and other cities.

Under a parliament resolution, the National Crisis Management Commission can make decisions deviating from the existing regulations to ensure an uninterrupted supply of energy during this period. It can change prices, tariffs, excise duties and other fees, as well as the rules regulating the energy market. The government will have the right to restrict energy consumption.

The special regime was introduced by the ruling Action and Solidarity Party. The opposition voted against it, calling the current government a state of emergency government. Since 2021, the republic has resorted to it many times after the decision to abandon Russia’s energy, which was made at an inopportune time. However, back then, the state of emergency allowed the government to ban opposition protests. This time, the special regime was introduced in individual sectors and will not apply to mass gatherings or other public activities. Nevertheless, it allows the government to classify contracts and the cost of energy supplies, and the opposition accuses the authorities of corruption. The government promised the regime will not affect the November 15 elections in the Gagauz autonomy.

The situation in the country

The republic faces a severe energy crisis, which has already led to the resignation of three governments. In 2021, the gas prices increased sevenfold, which spurred inflation to over 30% year·on·year and triggered mass protests. Starting from September 1 of this year, the gas prices rose by 41%, to about 1 euro per cubic meter, and this week energy companies have requested another increase -- by 30%.

As for fuel, this year the authorities tried to conceal the diesel fuel shortage, which was absent at about half of the country’s gas stations, using media outlets under their control. The problem was only acknowledged in the summer, when it could no longer be hidden. In September, the price of diesel fuel came very close to 2 euros per liter, which should become a new psychological threshold. This week Prime Minister Vasile Tofan warned the people about the upcoming difficult winter and urged them to "pray" that it would be mild.

The situation is exacerbated by an unprecedented shallowing of the Dniester River due to low precipitation. The government says the level of the Dniester reservoir in Ukraine dropped by half. Only about eight meters are left to the point where water discharge will stop. In the area around the Moldovan capital, the water level fell below what is planned for the water intake station designed to supply the city, and now floating pumps are operating there.

The authorities’ attempts to explain the crisis by citing the regional situation do not satisfy the people who are tired of the galloping prices, as well as the opposition, which accuses the government of incompetence. Earlier this week, farmer protests began in disagreement with the government’s plans to replenish the budget at their expense. As leader of Moldova’s largest opposition Party of Socialists Igor Dodon said the opposition is also discussing joint protests, which, according to him, should be large·scale and begin in October-November.