The President of the Republic of Moldova Maja Sandu arrived last night in Romania to support the presidential candidate of the “Union for the Salvation of Romania” Elena Lasconi, Lasconi's headquarters announced in an information, BTA reported.
“I will vote for her because she is sincere and I feel she loves Romania," Maya Sandu said. She also recorded a video message, which was published on the official profile of Elena Laskoni on the social network "Facebook".
“The most dangerous thing for a nation is when it is gripped by fear and enmity. I understand that many of us are concerned and looking for a leader of character to unite us. I think Mrs. Lasconi can be that brave leader with love for Romanians who will unite and keep Romania on the right path. I know that Elena Lasconi will not give up relations with the Republic of Moldova, but will continue what we started together. We have a lot of beautiful projects to do. Our common destiny is the free world – the prosperity, stability and development that membership in the European Union brings”, notes Sandu.
In the Republic of Moldova, more than 56 percent of people voted for Elena Lasconi in the first round of the presidential elections, Digi24 notes. The media reported that French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke with Elena Lasconi and supported her. Yesterday, the presidential candidate of the “Union for the Salvation of Romania” he also held a telephone conversation with his colleague from Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili. The two have agreed to fight Russian propaganda together with the Republic of Moldova, Lasconi's headquarters also reported.
Meanwhile last night, Sandu fired Energy Minister Viktor Parlikov, and the prime minister called on two other high-ranking energy officials to resign for failing to deal with the former Soviet republic's energy crisis, Reuters reported, citing from BTA.
Prime Minister Doreen Rechan also said he would ask parliament to introduce a state of emergency in the energy sector.
Ukraine has repeatedly said it will not extend its gas transit agreement with Russia after it expires on December 31, raising the risk of Russian gas being cut off for several Eastern European countries, including Moldova.
The Moscow-backed separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova is particularly dependent on Russian gas.
„Resignations are the first stage of correcting the crisis situation. I had full confidence in Minister Parlikov. But he did not ensure the purchase of gas”, said Rechan at a press conference.
Parlikov, who last week held talks about gas supplies in Russia with the head of the gas giant “Gazprom”, said he knew his position was temporary and that he was leading the ministry “until a vote of confidence in me”.
At a press conference, he said that the importance of natural gas for Moldova is overestimated compared to electricity, but explained that he “doesn't want to make a scandal” from his dismissal.
„I am not a victim. Now I will have a lot of free time, while others will be under stress, he added.
Rechan also called for the resignation of the head of the state energy company “Energocom” Viktor Banzar and the manager of “Moldovagaz” Sergiu Tofilat for not being able to buy and store enough gas at favorable prices.
The government plans to ask parliament to introduce a preventive state of emergency from December 16, he added.
„The state of emergency in energy is necessary to manage the risks of disruption of energy supplies at least partially, as well as to allow the government to take certain actions, including limiting energy exports,” Rechan said, citing of the uncertainty regarding gas supplies.
Moldova has already said several times that the interruption of gas supplies through Ukraine is “very realistic“ scenario and that if Kiev stops this transit, gas can be supplied via the “Turkish Stream” to Turkey, and then through Bulgaria and Romania to Moldova.