Moldova passes emergency budget amendment for 2025
On Monday, April 7, Parliament urgently approved the bill amending the state budget for 2025.
The initiative came from the Government and received support from 55 deputies. Deputies from the opposition abstained from voting. The bill, passed in its first reading, was presented by Prime Minister Dorin Recean, who requested legislative support to utilize additional EU funds to assist the population and businesses affected by rising energy prices. The Government also stated that the funds would be allocated to economic development projects and infrastructure investments.
Debates also took place in Parliament. Deputies from the Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BCS) criticized the way the project was promoted and the absence of public consultations. Deputy Tatiana Cunețchi stated, "The transparency of the document – zero, public consultations – zero," describing the amendments as "future electoral handouts."
Deputy Petru Burduja highlighted that the proposed policies fail to address inflation. "We must create jobs, revive the economy, and boost exports," the parliamentarian said. He also asked how the sustainability of these investments would be ensured concerning public debt.
In response, Prime Minister Recean argued that supporting the economy and population does not automatically generate inflation; on the contrary, it can be an effective measure during challenging times. "It is not only important to have support measures, but also to consider how they are implemented," said the Prime Minister.
Deputy Alla Darovannaia of the Bloc of Socialists and Communists asked how these funds would generate future revenues to address the public debt. In his response, Dorin Recean assured that the budget is "robust and geared toward economic growth."
What has changed: additional revenues of over 3.7 billion lei
According to the document, the state budget revenues will rise by 3.73 billion lei due to grants from the European Union. These funds will support both measures to assist the population and investments in key areas for economic development.
Increased expenses for energy, education, and infrastructure
The expenses section was extended by 3.66 billion lei for energy resilience, of which:
- 2.1 billion for reducing the energy vulnerability of the population,
- 585 million for procuring energy resources by SA Energocom,
- 478 million for supporting certain social categories,
- 290 million for compensating energy costs for economic agents and farmers,
- 193 million for local energy efficiency projects.
Furthermore, as part of the Moldova Economic Growth Plan, 3.8 billion lei will be allocated to:
- Road Fund (1 billion),
- Local and regional projects (1 billion),
- Agriculture and rural environment development (200 million),
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (200 million),
- Public sector wage reform (300 million),
- School food modernization (200 million),
- Environmental Fund (100 million),
- Servicing the internal debt (265 million).
According to the document, capital expenditures will increase by over 22%, reaching 1.62 billion lei. Personnel expenditures will also rise by 292.8 million lei, and transfers to local budgets will increase by about 200 million lei.
After these adjustments, the 2025 state budget foresees total revenues of 75.28 billion lei and expenditures of 93.19 billion lei, resulting in a deficit of approximately 17.9 billion lei.
On Thursday, April 3, Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced that approximately 8 billion lei will be allocated this year for strategic investments and social measures.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
