Governance failure: officials pocket public funds for partisan gatherings without quorum
Chisinau municipal councilors are under fire for receiving allowances of approximately €150 (approx. 3,000 MDL) for sessions that never officially took place. Despite failing to pass a municipal budget for nearly two years, officials continue to collect payments for failed attempts to convene.
Since the beginning of 2026, the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC) has managed only one functional session on January 20. Nine subsequent attempts to continue deliberations failed due to a lack of quorum, yet councilors were still remunerated for their presence.
Conflicting legal interpretations
Valentin Cebotari, a councilor for the National Alternative Movement (MAN), confirmed that members received at least €765 (15,000 MDL) in January. He argues that the internal regulations mandate payment for every day a councilor signs the attendance sheet, regardless of the session's outcome.
Conversely, Dinari Cojocaru of the Socialist Party (PSRM) labels these payments illegal. He maintains that allowances should only be granted if a quorum is met and at least one project is voted upon, dismissing the failed meetings as "unofficial partisan gatherings."
Anti-corruption authorities to be notified
The Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) has announced plans to escalate the matter. Zinaida Popa, head of the PAS faction, stated they are awaiting official documents from the State Treasury to challenge these disbursements.
"These payments must be returned according to the law," Popa noted. She emphasized that PAS councilors only accepted payments for days when the CMC was legally deliberative and productive.
Institutional silence on public spending
The Chisinau City Hall has avoided providing a transparent breakdown of the total costs. The General Finance Department claimed the matter "falls outside its jurisdiction," redirecting inquiries back to the councilors themselves.
Mayor Ion Ceban has signaled a new attempt to convene the Council between March 9 and 15. Until then, the administrative paralysis continues to stall critical infrastructure projects in the Moldovan capital.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
