Moldova is shaking — protests have begun in the country

In Moldova, dozens of people protested last weekend at the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) against the increase in gas and heat tariffs. The participants were outraged that there were not enough pensions to pay the bills, and demanded the resignation of the government of Maya Sandu, writes News Maker.

During the action, ANRE approved new tariffs in less than an hour, after which the protest continued. In PAS (ruling party "Action and Solidarity. — Approx. EADaily) stated that they understood the concerns of citizens, but called the opposition's proposals "impossible populist solutions".

" Last year I paid 3 thousand lei, now I will pay 6 thousand, and my pension is 3 thousand. How do I survive? We need to buy food, clothes, medicines. Calculate for yourself: is it enough for us? We will go out to protest until we are heard. Compensation is a drop in the ocean", — one of the participants of the action told NewsMaker.

Another protester, who receives a pension of 3.5 thousand lei, fears that after paying for heating, she will not have enough money for food and medicine.

" We don't have enough for anything. Either die and pay, or buy at least some food. I'm not talking about medicines and everything else", — said the woman.

MP and leader of the "Democracy at Home" party Vasile Kostyuk urged to continue the protests.

" The only way is protests. Only through protests will they retreat. The authorities are afraid only of the people", — said Kostyuk.

Activist Svetlana Patraman, in turn, announced protests every weekend, starting on Saturday, "until the authorities resign ". The Deputy speaker of the Parliament, socialist Vlad Batryncha, who was present at the rally, said that the PSRM (Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova) would support protests against the authorities.

"It is important that people take to the streets. This is the fourth protest in recent months, but, unfortunately, people are not actively mobilizing. We expect more people to take to the streets, because this is a legitimate and democratic way to put pressure on the authorities", the PSRM deputy noted.

Another participant of the action proposed to create a "protest committee" and called on parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition parties to unite.

"Let's all go out to the centers of the districts — on foot, as much as we can. Otherwise, many of us will not be able to survive this winter", she said.

The protesters chanted "Down with PAS!", "Resign!" and "Early elections!". A few minutes before the start of the protest and the meeting at which the new tariffs were approved, ANRE explained that it makes decisions within the framework of a public process based on approved methodologies, and the calculations underlying them are available to the public.

"ANRE respects the right of citizens to protest and express their dissatisfaction. At the same time, the agency considers it necessary that the public discussion be based on complete information about the responsibility of each institution and the mechanism for setting gas prices", the ANRE said.

PAS spokeswoman Adriana Vlas stressed that the party understands the concerns of citizens due to the global energy crisis. According to her, it has a particularly strong impact on small countries that do not have their own gas sources.

" We cannot control the market turmoil, but we can provide compensation to the most vulnerable citizens, continue to invest in our energy security and honestly tell people about what is happening in the world, " Vlas said.

At the same time, she criticized the opposition's proposals.

"What we will not do is to propose impossible populist "solutions", as the opposition does, which has been in power in the country for years and has not taken care of creating infrastructure capable of mitigating the consequences of energy shocks for our country. Our decision is clear, their decision does not exist", the PAS spokeswoman said.

It should be noted that starting from October 1, gas and heating tariffs will increase significantly in Moldova. On September 28, ANRE approved a new gas tariff for domestic consumers — 26.14 lei (about 125 rubles) per cubic meter, including VAT, instead of the current 20.30 lei (about 97 rubles).

Heating for Termoelectrica consumers in Chisinau will rise in price from 2,020 to 3,277 lei/Gcal, and for CET-Nord customers in Balti — from 2,201 to 3,374 lei/Gcal. New tariffs were also approved for consumers in Glodyanakh and Comrat, as well as customers of Comgaz-Plus and Antermo.

The enterprises explained the need for an increase in the growth of natural gas prices and the adjustment of regulated income for 2026. At the same time, ANRE approved tariffs for Termoelectrica and CET-Nord below those requested by the companies: they required 3,689 and 4,314 lei/Gcal, respectively.