The Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) is calling for a review of the criteria for granting compensation during the cold season, an increase in the amount of the payments, and the reinstatement of electricity compensation, which was canceled by the government. PSRM MP Vladimir Odnostalco made the statement today during a briefing in Parliament, TRIBUNA reports.

According to the MP, instead of providing real support to citizens, the government continues to say that there is no money, while the population is facing continuously rising food prices, a more than 40% increase in the gas tariff starting September 1, the lack of any significant salary increases, and a growing tax burden on citizens and the business community.

Vladimir Odnostalco recalled that during the 2025–2026 heating season, 605,538 households received compensation. At the same time, the minimum compensation amounted to 500 lei, while the maximum was 1,000 lei. However, more than 200,000 citizens officially received a rejection of their applications for assistance.

He stressed that one of the problems lies in the criteria used to assess citizens’ financial situation. In this context, the MP gave the example of an elderly woman from Briceni district who had saved money for her own funeral.

“An elderly woman from Briceni district deposited several tens of thousands of lei into her personal bank account, money she had saved little by little from her pension for her funeral. Our elderly people do this — they save money for their own funeral. Yet the PAS government considered that she had income,” Vladimir Odnostalco said.

In his view, such an approach is unfair and does not reflect citizens’ actual living conditions.

In this context, PSRM proposes revising the criteria for granting assistance, increasing the amount of compensation, and expanding the number of beneficiaries.

According to Vladimir Odnostalco, the criteria should take citizens’ actual financial situation into account and be fairer. He also said that the minimum compensation should be increased from 500 to 1,000 lei, while the maximum should rise from 1,000 to 1,500 lei.

“What we are proposing is not a panacea. But nevertheless, it will considerably ease the survival of many people — I repeat, survival, not life, not living — during the winter of 2026–2027,” the MP said.

PSRM is also calling for electricity compensation to be reinstated for the 2026–2027 cold season, after it was canceled as of January 1, 2026.

Vladimir Odnostalco believes that the resources for such support can be identified, including by reviewing the planned increase in the tax burden.

According to the MP, the cancellation of electricity compensation has already affected low-income families: “I know many cases where low-income families have used candles, often even making them themselves, in order to save electricity.”

“What will citizens gain from our proposals? First of all — normal, humane criteria for granting assistance during the cold season. Secondly — we will increase the number of citizens who will have the opportunity to somehow get through this winter. Thirdly — people will be able to pay their electricity bills,” the MP said.