CHISINAU – Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean on Thursday called for the resignation of Energy Minister Victor Parlicov and two senior energy officials, blaming them for failing to address a worsening energy crisis in the former Soviet republic. Recean also urged the departures of Energocom head Victor Binzari and Moldovagaz supervisory board member Sergiu Tofilat.
“The resignations are the first stage of correcting the crisis situation,” Recean said during a press briefing. “I had full confidence in Minister Parlicov, but he did not ensure the purchase of gas,” the Moldovan news outlet Newsmaker quoted him as saying.
Recean further announced plans to ask Parliament to impose a state of emergency in the energy sector, with concerns mounting over the potential termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine by the end of the year. The gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia is set to expire on December 31, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated they will not renew the deal.
Moldova currently receives about 2 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually through Ukraine. However, since 2022, all Russian gas received by Moldova has been allocated to the breakaway Transdniestria region, which operates a large power plant fueled by Russian gas. In return, Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, purchases electricity from Transdniestria at a fixed, relatively low price.
Should Ukraine stop the transit of Russian gas, Moldova may need to rely on alternative routes, including the TurkStream pipeline that runs through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania.
The energy crisis has placed Moldova’s pro-European government under significant pressure as the country contends with limited energy supplies, growing costs, and the geopolitical impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recean’s decisive call for leadership changes reflects the urgency of stabilizing Moldova’s energy sector ahead of the winter months.