Moldova’s 23 billion lei budget deficit will also put pressure on funding for heating compensation during the cold season. The money needed to help families pay their bills will be secured partly through borrowing, according to Marcel Spatari, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance. He made the statement during the Rezoomat program on Realitatea TV.
According to the official, authorities must choose between supporting the population during the winter and limiting borrowing.
“This money has to be financed, including through loans, because we have a budget deficit. And these loans come at a cost. So when we have to choose between helping families in winter and borrowing, we choose to borrow and help families during the cold season, especially since bills will be very high this winter,” Spatari explained.
Spatari said the budget allocated for heating compensation this winter will be comparable to last year’s or even higher. Authorities also intend to expand the number of citizens eligible for state support.
“The state will provide compensation at least within the limits of last year’s budget, but depending on price developments, we will look for additional sources as well. From what I have discussed with the Government, the intention is to increase the number of beneficiaries this year because the tariff is already higher,” the MP said.