Chișinău budget crisis: Moldovan capital lacks 2025 spending plan
Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, is operating in October without an approved annual budget for 2025.
Municipal projects, infrastructure works, and social payments are being carried out provisionally, relying on loans and internal redistributions. While Mayor Ion Ceban blames the opposition and says that "the budget was ready in 2024," municipal councillors from the pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the pro-Russian Party of Socialists (PSRM) accuse the municipal administration of lacking transparency, abuses, and breaking promises.
PAS demands accountability
The PAS faction in the Chișinău Municipal Council (CMC) is demanding accountability for the ten months the Chișinău City Hall has spent money "without an approved budget." In a press conference held before the CMC meeting on Wednesday, October 15, where councillors will make an eighth attempt to vote on the budget draft, faction leader Zinaida Popa accused Mayor Ion Ceban's administration of a lack of responsibility and political arrogance.
"Chișinău still does not have an approved budget. Meanwhile, for 10 months now, the City Hall has been spending public money provisionally, without democratic control and without transparency. This is an unprecedented situation that directly affects the proper functioning of municipal institutions, investments in schools, roads, and public services," Popa alleged.
The PAS faction announced it will not vote for the budget until the City Hall includes seven social priorities. These include the allocation of 80 million Moldovan lei (about £3.5m) for heating subsidies intended for 40,000 low-income families, and the cessation of illegal borrowing without the CMC's agreement.
PAS also demands the dismissal of City Hall Secretary Adrian Talmaci and the annulment of "abusive powers" by which the mayor reallocates funds without the councillors' vote. "Without a real clean-up in the City Hall, no budget can be credible," Popa stated.
PSRM and MAN weigh in
The PSRM faction confirmed it will not support the budget, citing the lack of real consultations and the mayor's failure to honour promises regarding heating subsidies.
"The main problem during the cold season is heating compensation. People cannot cope with the tariffs," said councillor Ala Ursu-Antoci.
In contrast, councillor Anatol Turchin, from the National Alternative Movement (MAN), maintains the document was consulted and the accusations from PAS and PSRM are "strictly political."
He rejected demands for additional energy subsidies, arguing that these are already covered by the Government through the Energy Vulnerability Fund.
Turchin accused the opposing factions of boycotting the approval process: "Attempts were made to approve the budget eight times, and each time PAS and PSRM walked out of the hall. They are arguing fiercely and blocking the budget vote."
Mayor Ceban responds
General Mayor Ion Ceban stated that the political factions are to blame for the blockage.
"The political parties have, I believe, shown little regard for the interests of Chișinău residents," Ceban said.
In the absence of an agreement, the Chișinău City Hall continues to operate with a provisional budget, preventing the launch of new investment projects. Last year, the budget was approved only in August, with an eight-month delay.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
