Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 29, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 29, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleMoldovan opposition parties on March 29, 2026, demanded clarity and the repeal of the 60‑day energy state of emergency, imposed after a damaged Isaccea–Vulcănești power line—restored Saturday—cut off up to 70% of Moldova’s electricity supply.
By Alexander Tanas
CHISINAU, March 29 (Reuters) - Moldovan opposition parties on Sunday demanded an explanation from the pro-European government for the imposition of a sweeping energy state of an emergency over a damaged power line which took four days to repair.
The Eastern European country's parliament approved the 60-day state of emergency last Tuesday to simplify decision-making after the government blamed Russian attacks in neighbouring Ukraine for knocking out the Isaccea-Vulcanesti power line.
The line, which carries power from Romania to Moldova and passes through 40 km (25 miles) of Ukrainian territory, was restored on Saturday, Moldova's Energy Ministry said. The line provides up to 70% of the country's electricity needs.
"As we assumed, the state of emergency was nothing more than a show and we were right not to support it," Igor Dodon, leader of the pro-Russia Socialist Party, wrote on Telegram.
Dodon demanded the immediate repeal of the state of emergency and an explanation from the pro-European Moldovan government of how it had used the additional powers provided by the measure.
Ion Ceban, the mayor of the capital Chisinau, also backed a repeal of the state of emergency and called for measures to help consumers in the former Soviet republic, one of Europe's poorest countries. Ceban, who leads an opposition party, is frequently at odds with the government.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu had urged parliament to back the measure, which allows the government to implement decisions without seeking the approval of the chamber, where the Party of Action and Solidarity has a majority.
Munteanu said Ukrainian specialists had pledged to repair the line within five to seven days. Igor Grosu, the speaker of the parliament, described the Russian strikes as a war crime.
President Maia Sandu, who has pledged to bring Moldova into the European Union by 2030, has opposed Russia's four-year war against Ukraine. She also accuses Moscow of trying to unseat her government. Moscow says Sandu is fomenting hostility towards Russia and its people.
(Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Writing by Ronald Popeski and Paul Simao)
Moldova declared a state of emergency to facilitate decision-making after a key power line carrying electricity from Romania was damaged amid Russian attacks in neighboring Ukraine.
The Isaccea-Vulcanesti power line, crucial for Moldova's electricity supply, was repaired in four days according to the Moldovan Energy Ministry.
Moldovan opposition leaders questioned the necessity and transparency of the state of emergency, claiming it was excessive and demanding explanations on the government's use of special powers.
The state of emergency allows the Moldovan government to implement decisions without requiring parliamentary approval, increasing executive powers.
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