The Party “Dignity and Truth Platform” (PPPDA) intends to mount a protest near the head office of the Competition Council on June 7, starting at 11am. In a live stream on social media, PPPDA leader Andrei Năstase said the prices rise daily, the incomes decline, while those who govern the country mock at the people, IPN reports.
“The Competition Council doesn’t do anything for the prices in the Republic of Moldova to be in line with the incomes. These prices are higher than in other countries, but the revenues, pensions and salaries of the people in the Republic of Moldova are very low,” stated the politician.
The party’s vice president Alexandru Sluari noted it is not true that the prices in a market economy can be free. During the past half a year, the prices of gasoline and diesel oil were raised unjustifiably for six times at a time when the prices on the international market were stable. The fuel prices in Moldova are set by cartel agreement between five-six companies.
According to Alexandru Sluari, the Competition Council in Moldova is an institution created based on political criteria. The officials of this Council get monthly salaries of 50,000-60,000 lei, but do nothing. The situation has persisted for 30 years. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and the Competition Council should cooperate and monitor the prices. The Competition Council is the main body that should fight unjustified prices, but it does not want to take decisions to fine oil companies.
PPPDA vice president Igor Munteanu said the people live badly because the state agencies do not do their job, while the oil companies ignore people’s interests and the instructions. During a year alone, 2020, oil sellers gained 900 million lei revenues after importing oil products at one price and selling them at other prices.
The PPPDA asked the Court of Auditors to determine how the responsible agencies spend the money. “The budget of a regulatory agency is of 40 million lei, but these agencies do nothing and show lack of firmness when they need to defend the consumers in the Republic of Moldova,” stated Igor Muneanu, nothing these agencies should serve the citizens, not oligarchic groups.
On June 3, the PAS mounted a protest in front of the Chisinau City Hall, demanding that the Municipal Council should annul the decision by which the property tax was raised.
