Moldova inquiry exposes systemic abuses across 323 state firms
Moldovan lawmakers uncovered systemic governance failures across 323 state enterprises, including decades-long insolvency proceedings and unrecorded public assets, parliamentary inquiry head Dinu Plîngău announced on public broadcaster Moldova 1.
Protracted insolvencies open door to corporate raiding
Insolvency proceedings involving Moldovan state enterprises frequently stall for 10 to 20 years, during which public authorities lose operational oversight to licensed insolvency administrators. Plîngău cautioned that these prolonged proceedings are frequently exploited to orchestrate hostile corporate takeovers.
“The moment the court admits this, neither the founder nor the owner—be it the state or a private entity—retains any rights over the company,” Plîngău said. “The company is placed entirely under the authority of this administrator, and insolvency proceedings can drag on for up to 20 years.”
The lawmaker explained that such mechanisms are weaponized to force public firms into bankruptcy. Under this scheme, bad-faith actors deliberately acquire high-value state assets at nominal value or seize operational control against accumulated debts.
Incomplete 2017 reform leaves state property unmonitored
Record-keeping deficiencies represent another systemic vulnerability identified by the parliamentary commission, leaving public assets at 323 enterprises unmonitored. Many state-owned land plots and buildings remain unregistered or left to deteriorate.
“We have 323 enterprises lacking adequate property records,” Plîngău said. He stressed that administrative lapses prevented the state from capitalizing on assets that could have generated critical budget revenues during challenging economic times.
The irregularities stem partly from an administrative reform launched in 2017, when state enterprise assets were legally mandated to transfer to the Public Property Agency (APP). However, institutional succession procedures were never finalized across several sectors.
Interim appointments bypass board term limits
Governance issues also persist within enterprise administrative boards, where statutory limits on the number of simultaneous board appointments held by single officials are routinely bypassed.
“Most people on these boards are appointed on an interim basis to bypass the rules,” Plîngău said. “Once a vacancy occurs, someone is appointed temporarily, and organizing a formal contest is delayed for a year, eighteen months, or even two years.”
Plîngău placed institutional accountability primarily on the State Chancellery, which was mandated to coordinate asset transfers among ministries, alongside the Public Property Agency. The parliamentary inquiry commission plans to deliver its formal investigation report and proposed legislative amendments in early October.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
O altă problemă identificată de Comisia de anchetă ține de evidența patrimoniului public. Potrivit lui Plîngău, sunt 323 de întreprinderi în cazul cărora situația patrimoniului nu este clară.
„Noi avem 323 de întreprinderi în care nu există o foarte bună evidență”, a declarat deputatul.
El a explicat că problemele țin inclusiv de reforma începută în 2017, când patrimoniul întreprinderilor de stat urma să fie transmis în gestiunea Agenției Proprietății Publice. În unele cazuri, însă, procedurile nu au fost finalizate.
Plîngău a menționat și situații în care terenuri sau clădiri ale statului nu sunt înregistrate sau sunt lăsate să se degradeze.
„Este o modalitate în care statul, cred că, nu și-a onorat bine administrarea propriului patrimoniu, mai ales în contextul actual în care noi avem nevoie de bani și acest patrimoniu ar fi putut aduce un beneficiu economic în plus statului”, a spus el.
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