Bogdan Ivan: In the four months since I left, they have done absolutely nothing / In Romania, the increase in petrol prices is unjustified

Former Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan accused the caretaker Government on Sunday evening of failing to take measures to protect the public from rising fuel and energy prices. Speaking on România TV, he argued that the Executive could have extended the state of crisis on the fuel market to limit the impact on consumers.

Bogdan Ivan said that, in the four months since leaving office, the authorities had allegedly failed to respond to his requests regarding price checks. He called for inspections by the National Authority for Consumer Protection and the Competition Council to determine whether the prices displayed are justified or whether there are indications of a possible market collusion.

The former minister said that the increase in petrol prices is unjustified, given that Romania produces approximately twice the amount it consumes. He mentioned the rise in international quotations but argued that alternatives exist for supplying oil and petroleum products. In his view, the price of petrol should not reach 10 lei per liter.

Ivan also warned of possible increases in electricity prices, as offers for the next period will be based on the record prices from August. He also criticized the fact that the Cernavodă nuclear power plant was not restarted after the intervention work, arguing that its shutdown is affecting the management of the energy crisis.