New Moldovan bill allows municipalities to seize and sell junk cars
Moldovan lawmakers from the National Alternative Movement party have registered a new legislative initiative aimed at clearing long-abandoned vehicles from public spaces. The bill grants local municipalities the legal authority to tow, confiscate, and subsequently sell or scrap cars left deserted on public property.
Currently, a significant legal vacuum prevents both city mayors and law enforcement from intervening to free up blocked parking spaces. The lack of a centralized registry and clear regulations defining abandoned vehicles has left local authorities powerless against municipal gridlock.
Under the proposed framework, authorities will formally document an abandoned vehicle and issue a strict 10-day notice to the registered owner. If the owner fails to reclaim the asset within this timeframe, the vehicle will be moved to a designated municipal storage facility.
The financial framework
All logistical costs associated with the removal process will be shifted entirely to the negligent parties. The vehicle owner must cover all towing, transportation, and storage fees before reclaiming their property.
"The most absurd part of the current situation is that nobody—neither the mayor, the police, nor district administrations—has the legal right to tow these vehicles," stated MP Olga Ursu. She emphasized that everyone receives constant complaints, yet public areas are continually transformed into scrap metal yards.
Residents of the capital city, Chisinau, have largely welcomed the legislative push. While many acknowledge that the measure will not fully solve the ongoing urban parking crisis, they agree it will visibly improve the city’s aesthetic.
Urban impact and public response
Locals report that residential courtyards have become cluttered with vehicles abandoned for years, including cars left behind by regional refugees. Clearing these areas is expected to immediately optimize available space and enhance urban mobility.
Currently, Moldovan cities lack a cohesive regulation defining the exact timeframe after which a vehicle is classified as abandoned. This bill aims to standardize the evacuation procedure nationwide, establishing clear legal guidelines for municipal property conversion.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
