Election pressures and judicial bottlenecks stall Moldova’s anti-corruption momentum
The Republic of Moldova’s score in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has decreased by one point, falling from 43 to 42. While the change suggests stagnation rather than a total collapse, Transparency International experts warn that the pace of judicial reform must accelerate.
Moldova currently ranks 80th out of 182 countries, a position described as "middle-to-weak" on the global scale. Experts point to significant delays in implementing previous recommendations and persistent vulnerabilities within the justice system as the primary drivers of this decline.
The global and local context of stagnation
Mariana Kalughin, an expert at Transparency International Moldova, noted that the decline reflects a broader global trend of weakened leadership. She emphasized that while high-level corruption cases have reached the courts, a "transparency gap" remains regarding investigations into current officials.
"The stagnation suggests that several key recommendations were not implemented on time," Kalughin stated. She criticized "cosmetic restructurings" of anti-corruption agencies, calling instead for transparent competitions for leadership roles and more effective audits of unexplained wealth.
Parliament points to external interference
Representatives of the parliamentary majority argue that 2025 was a complex year defined by external threats. Igor Chiriac, Vice-Chair of the Legal Commission, explained that anti-corruption institutions had to pivot resources toward combating state security threats and foreign election interference.
"The 2025 election cycle was not easy; we witnessed heavy external interference and severe cases of voter bribery," Chiriac said. He noted that while the pace of the "vetting" process for judges and prosecutors may seem slow, it is essential for long-term institutional integrity.
Structural reforms and judicial vetting
The vetting of Supreme Court and Appellate Court judges is nearing completion, but the process for prosecutors remains ongoing. Lawmakers have submitted plans for merging specialized prosecutor's offices to the Venice Commission for review to ensure alignment with international standards.
Ultimately, experts argue that the government must focus on enhancing the professionalism of judicial staff rather than merely altering legislation. The 2026 outlook depends heavily on whether these "bottlenecks" can be cleared to restore public and international trust.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
