Prime Minister on State of Emergency Prolongation: There Are Risks That Require Immediate Action by the Authorities

The government may ask the parliament to extend the state of emergency due to continuing national and energy security risks resulting from the situation in Ukraine. This was stated by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita on the air of Vocea Bessarabiei. She stressed that the government uses this tool “very carefully”, deschide.md reports. When asked when the state of emergency will be over, Natalia Gavrilita said she wants “us to see the end of the state of emergency.” However, according to her, Moldova is still facing serious security risks. “When there are no conditions for extending the emergency regime, when there are no risks because of the war, when we have no risks in the energy situation,” the prime minister said about the timeline for ending the state of emergency. Gavrilita specified that risks are still present, and the government must take urgent measures in the current conditions. “We continue to face risks both because of the war and because of these bombings that happen regularly. And in any case, we are in a difficult situation in terms of energy, because the contract we have with Gazprom is not being respected. In December, we receive about 56% less resources than usual. That is why there are still risks that will require a quick and urgent action of the government,” Gavrilita said. The premier assured that this tool, the state of emergency, is used “in a balanced way and when there are preconditions”, while all decisions are transparent. Prime Minister stressed that the attention of the authorities is focused on the country’s national project – European integration. Parliament extended the state of emergency for 60 days from December 6, 2022.