Ionita: Government Has Only Two Tools to Solve the Gas Crisis

A state of emergency is needed to give the government the opportunity to promptly intervene in the gas crisis. Thus, economist Veaceslav Ionita commented on the statements by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita who said that she was inclined to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector and this issue would be raised at a government meeting, bani.md reports. The economist claims that the government has two tools at its disposal to solve the gas crisis. “The advance payment by the Government of subsidies offered to the population and the providing a deferred VAT payment to Moldovagaz. Both tools are a form of lending to Moldovagaz by the government in conditions when no bank wants to lend to the company,” the economist noted. Moreover, Ionita believes that tariffs for citizens will most probably be increased after January 20. The proposed tariff increase will not help in settlements with Gazprom on January 20, since payments under the new tariffs will be made by consumers in February,” the economist added. Recall that on January 18, Gazprom addressed an official letter to Moldovagaz, in which it announced its intention to suspend the supply of natural gas to the Republic of Moldova in case of non-payment of full current consumption until January 20. Point