Promo-LEX: New Prosecutor General must prove independence from politics
The new Prosecutor General's mandate includes the obligation to achieve tangible results in the fight against corruption and to bolster public trust in the justice system. Additionally, there is a need to clearly demonstrate the Prosecutor General's Office's independence. This perspective was shared by Vadim Vieru, an expert from the Promo-LEX Association, during the IN CONTEXT program on Moldova 1, following President Maia Sandu's signing of the decree to appoint Alexandru Machidon as Prosecutor General.
"The Prosecutor General must demonstrate that he is truly leading an independent institution and not one manipulated for political purposes, as has occurred in the past. The priority is to enhance the appeal of the prosecutorial profession, ensure efficient investigations of crimes, and promote the institution's development so that citizens can regain trust in it," declared Vadim Vieru on public television.
Public trust is directly linked to the effective handling of cases, and the objective is to transform the prosecutor's office into an entity that is immune to political influence, with the courage to investigate corruption.
"Regarding the trust and independence of the prosecution, it is crucial for the current prosecutor general to prove that he is truly independent, meaning the institution itself, not just him personally. This can be shown through active management of cases that may also target government officials. Over the past four to five years, there have been no criminal cases involving government officials. I’m not just referring to Parliament; this includes both central and local public administration. I may be mistaken, but I doubt that the issue of corruption has suddenly disappeared," Vieru noted.
The expert highlighted that inadequate investigations could result in sanctions from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and one of the new prosecutor general's key tasks should be to prevent convictions at the European level.
“In the past, even though a new Law on the Prosecutor's Office was introduced, there were instances when the Prosecutor's Office dealt with politically sensitive cases that came before the ECHR. This court is particularly well-known among politicians in the Republic of Moldova who face criminal charges. We will see whether those currently undergoing legal proceedings, including those involved with the Prosecutor General's Office, will have grounds for complaints to the ECHR. We will find out in a few years,” Vieru predicted.
Vieru also pointed out the institutional stagnation caused by ongoing interim appointments within the prosecutor's office: "The downside is that many positions at the Prosecutor General's Office, including various administrative roles such as department heads, are still held by interim officials. This issue also needs to be addressed," he concluded.
After nearly a year in an interim capacity, Alexandru Machidon was officially appointed Prosecutor General of the Republic of Moldova. President Maia Sandu signed the decree on April 30, 2026, and on that same day, Machidon took the oath of office, officially beginning his full mandate as Prosecutor General.
Machidon has a 17-year career within the prosecution system, starting in 2008 in Criuleni. Throughout his career, he has held management positions in the prosecutor's offices of Criuleni, Hâncești, and Orhei, and has also worked in the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Prior to assuming the interim role of Prosecutor General in May 2025, following Ion Munteanu's departure to the Supreme Court of Justice, Machidon served as an acting deputy at the PCCOCS.
Machidon's appointment has elicited mixed reactions within the political arena. Some Members of Parliament have accused the decision of being politically biased and have described the system as captured, while others argue that his appointment is a necessary step toward stabilizing the Prosecutor General's Office after a prolonged period of interim leadership.
