The Socialist MPs on June 7 asked to question Prime Minister Pavel Filip over the Government’s interference in the activity of the independent regulator National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER), IPN reports.
“We were all witness to the situation of the NAER. The rise in fuel prices is a consequence of the regulations adopted by the NAER. Based on this methodology, the business entities asked to raise the fuel tariffs. We discussed the issue in Parliament, but didn’t reach a compromise after Pavel Filip requested the NAER to review its decision to increase price ceilings. We want the Premier to be questioned so as to find out why the Government becomes involved in the activity of the regulator that is independent according to the law, what his instruction was and why the NAER’s decision was only suspended and not annulled,” stated Socialist MP Vlad Batrancea.
Democratic MP Dumitru Diacov replied it wasn’t an instruction given by the Premier, but a suggestion, an observation. “If the NAER reacted and reexamined its positon, this is good. I don’t think the Socialists are for raising the prices of gasoline. I don’t think this is a topic for discussion,” he stated.
Communist MP Oleg Reidman said any citizen, including the Premier, has the right to state their opinion on the rise in prices. “What did the NAER base its decision to change prices overnight on? That’s why the Premier should come here as the price calculation methodology and the Agency’s decisions are approved elsewhere,” he noted.
Liberal-Democratic MP Iurie Tap said the NAER is an independent regulator that can be asked to provide explanations and should not be given orders.
When being put to the vote, the proposal to introduce the questioning of the Premier in the agenda was short of votes to be accepted.
