Moldova’s parliament has declared a national state of emergency for 60 days, starting December 16, in anticipation of a potential Russian gas supply cutoff from January 1.
The decision was passed with the support of 56 members in the 101-seat chamber, following an appeal from Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
Recean called the measure a necessary step to counter what he described as “gas blackmail” from Moscow and to ensure sufficient gas supplies for Moldova’s Transdniestria region.
The emergency declaration grants the government the ability to act swiftly, including restricting energy exports, to address the looming crisis. Moldova relies on Russian natural gas delivered via Ukraine, but Ukraine has announced it will not renew its transit contract with Gazprom after it expires on December 31.
Moldova receives about 2 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually. Since 2022, an agreement between the central government and Transdniestria has ensured that all Russian gas imported by Moldova is directed to the region.
The government warned that failing to supply gas to Transdniestria could spark a humanitarian crisis and jeopardize the stability of Moldova’s electricity sector.
