Moldova PM bypasses regional leaders in Gagauzia visit
Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu focused on "grassroots" results during his first official working visit to the autonomous region of Gagauzia on December 18, choosing to meet with local mayors and entrepreneurs rather than regional leadership.
The Prime Minister explained his decision to bypass the central authorities in Comrat as a matter of prioritizing "concrete meetings with real community impact." Munteanu characterized the trip as a fulfillment of a personal promise made to local officials, signaling a strategy of direct engagement with the region’s residents.
Prioritizing Local Partners
"Everything started with a personal invitation from the mayor of Ceadâr-Lunga," Munteanu told reporters. "I keep my promises. In a tight schedule, I chose to prioritize mayors—they are our key partners. Without local cooperation, we achieve nothing."
The Prime Minister’s agenda highlighted major economic shifts for the region. He inspected the construction of the Multifunctional Industrial Platform in Ceadâr-Lunga, a massive 5,200-square-meter facility. The project, valued at over 36 million lei, is expected to create between 500 and 1,000 jobs by its completion in spring 2026.
Record Investments for 2026
During a visit to the Ceadâr-Lunga Business Incubator, which currently hosts 22 companies at full capacity, Munteanu announced a surge in state support. Under the "2026 Responsible Investment Budget," capital investments in Moldova are set to hit a record 3 billion lei.
Infrastructure also took center stage with the inauguration of the Vulcănești bypass. The 8-kilometer road segment was completed two months ahead of schedule and serves as a vital link in the strategic corridor connecting Chișinău to the Romanian border.
A Focus on the Future
The Prime Minister described his meeting with students and teachers at the "Nicolai Tretiakov" Lyceum as the "cherry on top" of the visit. He emphasized that the increased budgets for schools and kindergartens in the coming year would ensure that the benefits of national growth reach every citizen in Gagauzia.
"When you see these results—new schools, roads, and investments—you know the work matters," Munteanu concluded, ending his visit by distributing books to local children for the holiday season.
This visit marks Munteanu’s first trip to the autonomous unit since taking office, signaling a shift toward direct central government investment in local Gagauz communities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
