Romania plans to sell majority stake in energy distribution firm for EUR 400 mln, but political tensions might affect price

The Romanian state wants to get over EUR 400 million from selling a 51 percent stake in energy distribution company Electrica SA. However, the price depends on market conditions, including on risks. The recent split of the Social Liberal Union coalition brings new risks for Romania, according to Gabriel Dumitrascu, head of the Privatization sector within the Department of Energy, quoted by local news agency Mediafax. On Tuesday evening (February 25) Romanian National Liberal Party PNL has decided to exit the coalition Government, marking the break of ruling coalition USL. More about the break in the USL here. After ministers from the National Liberal Party submitted their resignations from the Government, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta nominated new interim ministers on Wednesday (February 26). Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com