CHISINAU, January 2. /TASS/. Electricity price hikes in Moldova following the cessation of Russian gas supplies will trigger inflation and a wave of discontent, Moldovan economic expert Veaceslav Ionita has said.
"The growing prices will add at least 2.5% to annual inflation, which will rise from 7% to more than 10%. This acceleration will seriously affect the cost of living and put additional pressure on the economy. Higher bills will become a burden for households and cause mass discontent, especially among the most vulnerable groups," the expert wrote on his webpage. Pensioners and public sector employees, whose wages and salaries have long lagged behind rocketing prices, will also be among the most affected.
Gas supplies to Moldova have been stopped since January 1 after the Moldovan government refused to settle the problem of debts for consumed fuel, which Russia estimates at $709 million. The authorities of Moldova and unrecognized Transnistria have introduced emergency austerity measures on their territories.
Moldova is supplied with gas from other sources, so only Transnistria will experience a shortage of this type of fuel.