Chisinau approves 2026 budget after months of political deadlock
Chisinau has approved its 2026 municipal budget following a three-hour debate on Monday, July 13, ending a prolonged reliance on provisional financial frameworks. The document passed in two readings in its original form, without amendments proposed by the opposition Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) faction.
The approved budget projects revenues of €489.8 million (9.6 billion MDL)—including €250 million in state transfers—and expenditures of €551 million (10.8 billion MDL). This leaves a municipal budget deficit of €61.2 million (1.2 billion MDL).
Allocation of municipal funds
The municipal expenditure breakdown allocates resources across key sectors:
Education: €260.2 million (5.1 billion MDL)
Economic services: €168.4 million (3.3 billion MDL)
Communal utility services: €132.7 million (2.6 billion MDL)
Culture, youth, and sports: €37.2 million (729.6 million MDL)
General public services: €20.5 million (401.4 million MDL)
Environmental protection: €5.2 million (102.02 million MDL)
Healthcare: €3.58 million (70.2 million MDL)
Deputy Mayor Olesea Psenitchi stated that several opposition priorities were integrated into the core plan. These include €4.08 million (80 million MDL) for vulnerable groups and €8.37 million (164 million MDL) for educational facility repairs.
She added that an ongoing project co-financed by the EBRD and EIB for 52 kindergartens holds a total value of €33.8 million, with €3.27 million (64.1 million MDL) budgeted for 2026. Addressing road infrastructure demands, Psenitchi noted that €41.6 million (816 million MDL) has been allocated for street construction and capital repairs.
Opposition raises financial concerns
The PAS faction rejected the budget draft, arguing that executive officials downplayed fiscal shortfalls. Faction leader Zinaida Popa criticized the administration for using alternative terminology to describe the deficit, noting that planned municipal asset sales exceeding €51 million (1 billion MDL) effectively push the real deficit higher.
Popa also expressed concern over the distribution of funds for heating assistance and contested provisions granting the Mayor authority to reallocate funds without Council approval.
Psenitchi dismissed the claims, confirming that all provisions comply with legal frameworks and passed reviews by the State Chancellery, Financial Inspection, and General Prosecutor's Office. A PAS proposal to redistribute funding across all 18 suburbs based on population size was also rejected due to insufficient votes.
Political resolution and context
The budget passed with support from the majority coalition, led by Mayor Ion Ceban’s National Alternative Movement (MAN), while PAS councilors voted against it.
PAS Deputy Faction Leader Dumitru Ivanov stated that the opposition would push for budget adjustments later in the fiscal year, citing procedural haste during the vote. Conversely, MAN councilor Grigore Bejenaru emphasized that the approval followed months of political blockades, noting that consultations led to key adjustments, including the removal of the sanitation tax and secured funding for winter assistance.
Chisinau operated under a provisional budget throughout 2025 and the first half of 2026 after political disagreements and lack of quorum prevented timely approval.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
