Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița requested Parliament to declare a state of emergency for a period of 30 days. “The Government will suggest a set of measures that need to be taken as a matter of urgency to deal with the risk of a halt in the supply of gas. The Government and other authorities must take prompt and swift decisions to ensure high-quality services for the citizens,” stated the Premier, being quoted by IPN.
During the state of emergency, the Commission on Emergencies will institute a special regime for the purchase of natural gas, will allocate money for buying the necessary volumes of gas and will adopt decisions for taking fast action to ensure gas supplies, including by derogation from normative documents. If need be, the consumption of natural gas and other energy resources will be optimized and the Commission will empower suppliers and distributors to purchase, transport and distribute natural gas all over the country.
Answering MPs’ questions, Natalia Gavrilița said the authorities will present the mechanism for providing compensations to citizens when the contracts are signed and the gas tariffs are known. “The Government already negotiated with the IMF and secured US$564 million for the next three years and four months and will have resources for supporting the citizens as it is doing reforms that enjoy support,” noted the Premier.
BSC MP Elena Bodnarenco said the government speaks nicely about alternatives on the gas market as if Ukraine or Poland have own gas and do not transport Russian gas. “You behave confidently and it’s clear that you do not say everything. You are ready to import gas at any price, but not directly from the Russian Federation. You are ready to pay any price, probably from the assistance that will be provided by international organizations,” stated the MP.
Șor Party MP Denis Ulanov asked for details about the holding of the new local elections set for November 21, including in Bălți, if the state of emergency is declared. Minister of Justice Sergiu Litvinenco said the legislative body can introduce provisions concerning the holding of elections in its decision. The Central Election Commission can interpret the electoral legislation, but there are no reasons for the elections not to take place as the state of emergency is related to the natural gas crisis.
The question and answer session continues.
