CHISINAU, Feb 13 Opposition party «Shor» in Moldova resumes protests against the increase in electricity tariffs, Vice-President of the political force Marina Tauber said at a briefing in Chisinau.
The Shor party held mass anti-government actions last year. The demonstrators are outraged by the unprecedented increase in prices for gas, other energy resources and food, as well as high inflation and falling living standards. The protesters accused the authorities of failing to cope with the crisis, pointed to a record inflation over the past 20 years, which in September amounted to 33.97% on an annualized basis. The country's leadership is criticized for its unwillingness to negotiate better gas prices with Russia, as well as for political pressure on opposition representatives. The Moldovan authorities have repeatedly called for the liquidation of the Shor party, accusing it of illegal financing.
«We urge all citizens of Moldova who are dissatisfied with high tariffs for natural gas, electricity and heat to come out on Sunday, February 19, at 13.00 (14.00 Moscow time) in front of the parliament building, where a peaceful protest rally will be organized,» Tauber said.
The politician stressed that the action will be held under the auspices of the Movement for the People platform, which was recently formed by the Shor party.
The organizers of the action appealed to the parties of socialists and communists, as well as to the «National Alternative Movement» of Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban with an appeal to support the protest action.
Earlier on Monday, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that attempts were being prepared in the republic to change the constitutional order with the participation of opposition forces, including the Shor party.
Moldova is experiencing an energy crisis due to rising energy prices, the gas tariff for consumers has increased seven times over the past year, and four times for electricity since January 2022, and tariffs for household water supply have more than doubled . Against this background, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced an austerity regime, and about 5 billion lei ($261 million) were allocated from the budget to compensate for the payment of gas, electricity and residential heating for residential consumers. Against the backdrop of rising tariffs in Moldova, anti-government protests took place.