Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean, has called for the declaration of a state of emergency in the energy sector and announced the resignation of Energy Minister Victor Parlicov.
According to Recean, the emergency will remain in effect until the issues in the energy sector are resolved. Responding to journalists’ questions about the implications of this decision, Recean explained that there is a risk of a partial or even complete suspension of electricity and other energy supplies. He stated that the government must have tools to make decisions, such as restricting energy exports.
The Moldovan Prime Minister also announced that he would temporarily assume the role of Energy Minister until a new leader is appointed for the ministry.
“He (Parlicov) was responsible for managing the energy sector and made mistakes that brought us to this crisis,” Recean explained regarding Parlicov’s dismissal. In addition to the Energy Minister, Recean called for the dismissal of Energocom CEO Victor Bînzari and Sergiu Tofilat, a member of the supervisory board of Moldovagaz.
Recean accused Tofilat of obstructing gas purchases by responsible institutions when prices were most favorable, and criticized Bînzari for failing to procure gas when it was possible.
Recently, Moldova’s Energy Minister had traveled to Russia for negotiations with Gazprom’s leadership. Discussions centered on continuing gas supplies in 2025, after the planned cessation of transit through Ukraine, and the debt that Russia claims Moldova owes for gas.
