Budget standoff in Chișinău: Opposition targets defense spending amid social pressure
The Moldovan Socialist Party (PSRM) has formally requested a significant reallocation of the 2026 state budget. The opposition seeks to slash funding for national defense and anti-disinformation efforts to finance social compensations.
Radu Marian, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Economy, Budget, and Finance, dismissed the proposals as "grossly populist." He warned that such measures would jeopardize national security and double the fiscal deficit.
The Socialist proposal
The PSRM initiative targets the Ministry of Defense, the Center for Strategic Communication, and the Crisis Management Center. The party demands redirecting approx. €7.65 million (150 million MDL) toward heating and electricity subsidies.
Additionally, the opposition seeks another €7.65 million for personal assistants and €2.5 million (49 million MDL) for addiction prevention. MP Ala Ursu-Antoci criticized the government for allocating €102 million (2 billion MDL) to the military while "ignoring the citizens' immediate needs."
Government defense of the 2026 budget
Radu Marian argued that the Socialist demands were irresponsible. He noted that the 2026 budget, passed on December 29, 2025, focuses on economic growth and the EU-funded Growth Plan.
"Accepting these amendments would have tripled the deficit in a single year," Marian stated. He pointed out that the opposition failed to implement such measures while in power, accusing them of lacking accountability.
Parliamentary context
The 2026 budget originally faced 81 amendments, with 69 coming from the opposition. Parliament rejected the vast majority, including a €71 million (1.4 billion MDL) request for agricultural subsidies.
Approved minor adjustments include funds for forestry drones, disabled transport subsidies, and the restoration of Chișinău’s Triumphal Arch. The government maintains that the current fiscal framework is essential for maintaining national stability.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
