Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban says the price of natural gas in Moldova is set to rise again. He made the claim in a social media post.
“We are already paying more than 20 lei for gas in the Republic of Moldova. In Romania, a European country, the price is 12–13 Moldovan lei, almost twice as low. In Ukraine, a country at war, gas costs just over 3 Moldovan lei, six times less than in Moldova. What kind of independence, patience and saving are Maia Sandu and the PAS government talking about?” Ceban stated.
Moldova’s regulated household gas tariff has stood at 20.30 lei per cubic meter, including VAT, since September 1, after the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) approved a 41% increase. ANRE said the adjustment was linked to higher actual gas procurement costs and was intended to prevent further accumulation of financial deviations for the public-service supplier. (ANRE)
Ceban also criticized the authorities over fuel prices. He said that on the same day the Government is expected to ask Parliament to extend the state of emergency, the authorities are “already making money off people” with every liter of gasoline they purchase.
ANRE’s current maximum reference price for standard gasoline is 33.99 lei per liter, applicable on September 22, while the maximum reference price for diesel is 36.52 lei per liter. (ANRE)
“And the most serious thing is that all those who justify them today, engage in propaganda alongside PAS and find excuses for what is happening are accomplices and criminals in the theft and impoverishment of people,” Ion Ceban added.
Ceban’s statements are political claims and do not establish that authorities are unlawfully profiting from fuel or gas prices.