---
title: "REPORT | Justice, corruption, and budget deficit remain key challenges for Moldova on its EU path"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/89026/report--justice-corruption-and-budget-deficit-remain-key-challenges-for-moldova-on-its-eu-path
published: 2026-11-05T19:07:29Z
language: en
author: "Bogdan Nigai"
section: "EU accession"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# REPORT | Justice, corruption, and budget deficit remain key challenges for Moldova on its EU path

> Low conviction rates in corruption cases, ongoing judicial shortcomings, a large budget deficit, and inefficient management of state-owned enterprises are among the key concerns raised by the European Commission. Despite progress in EU accession, Moldova still faces challenges in completing and implementing essential reforms, the Commission’s assessment shows.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/410e933b-ff3b-47da-bd1d-4c43ae75774a.jpg)

Low conviction rates in corruption cases, ongoing judicial shortcomings, a large budget deficit, and inefficient management of state-owned enterprises are among the key concerns raised by the European Commission. Despite progress in EU accession, Moldova still faces challenges in completing and implementing essential reforms, the Commission’s assessment shows.

Although the Republic of Moldova has made progress in areas such as the judiciary, energy, public administration, and digitalization, some of the recommendations previously issued by Brussels have been only partially fulfilled. These findings are detailed in the 2026 European Union Enlargement Report, published by the European Commission on November 4.

The assessment, which covers September 2025 to September 2026, indicates that adopting European legislation is not always accompanied by tangible results. In several areas, authorities need to strengthen the institutions responsible for implementing reforms and show that these changes are having practical effects.

**Corruption and the Judiciary – More investigations, yet insufficient results**

An increase in criminal prosecutions is not enough to show the effectiveness of the fight against corruption. The authorities must improve case handling, bolster the independence of prosecutors, and ensure the application of effective sanctions—including the confiscation of assets derived from criminal activity. These are among the priorities highlighted by the European Commission, which notes that while the Republic of Moldova has made progress, its level of preparedness in this area remains between limited and moderate. "The results achieved have improved, including through an increase in the total number of criminal prosecutions. Further efforts are needed to proactively investigate corruption and translate investigations into convictions, including at the highest levels. A unified statistical system is necessary to improve the accuracy of reported data," states the European Commission report.

Some of these challenges are also reflected in the indicators of the National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Program for the 2024–2028 period. Although the program has progressed, data on governance and the justice sector indicate a slight deterioration compared to 2024. In this context, Brussels calls for more rigorous oversight of state-owned enterprises and public institutions, as well as more effective cooperation between the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the National Anti-Corruption Centre.

Judicial reform has also not yet met all its objectives. The external evaluation of judges and prosecutors is ongoing; however, staff shortages are affecting court operations. Over the coming year, the authorities must finalize evaluation and appointment procedures, improve the allocation of cases, and reduce the time taken to adjudicate proceedings. "Despite the new appointments, the Supreme Court of Justice is not yet operating at full capacity, which delays the implementation of its new regulatory framework. To enhance the practical efficiency of the judicial system, further efforts are required to reduce the significant number of vacant positions and improve the case resolution rate; this will also help address the issue of excessively long proceedings across all areas," the report states.

The effective implementation of reforms marks the next phase of changes within the justice sector.

Responding to the European Commission’s assessment, Minister of Justice Vladislav Cojuhari welcomed the evaluation from Brussels, emphasizing that improvements in court operations must be directly reflected in the experience of citizens.

"We know, however, that people expect more than just assessments—they expect a faster justice system, fair decisions, functional institutions, and respect for their rights. That is precisely why reforms do not end with the adoption of laws. The next stage is to ensure that these laws are implemented and bring about change where it is needed most," the Minister wrote on Facebook.

**High budget deficit, rising debt, and insufficient investment**

Economic vulnerabilities continue to limit the Republic of Moldova’s capacity to cope with external pressures. Although the authorities have made progress in improving economic governance and the business environment, problems persist.

These include low labor market participation, an informal economy, insufficient foreign investment, and challenges in managing state-owned enterprises.

*“The economic recovery seen in 2025 slowed down in the first half of 2026, largely due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East and renewed upward pressure on energy prices and inflation. The current account deficit remains high, reflecting structural vulnerabilities and the cessation of electricity supplies from the Transnistrian region. The Republic of Moldova’s fiscal position has deteriorated, amid a persistently high deficit and growing public debt, while the execution of public investment remains weak,”* the report states.

To mitigate these risks, Chisinau must review tax incentives, streamline state spending, and accelerate infrastructure investment. Measures are also needed to diversify exports, attract foreign capital, and reduce dependence on imported energy resources. The Commission further recommends the appointment of independent members to the boards of state-owned enterprises and the reform of the Public Property Agency.

**Administrative-territorial reorganization must lead to better services**

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/36c39bb8-a76c-4227-a598-b6ec72ce1283.jpg)

Reducing the number of local authorities—a step planned ahead of the 2027 elections—is one of the major changes committed to by the Government. While Brussels welcomes the relaunch of this process, it warns that changing the administrative structure alone does not guarantee better services for citizens.

The success of the reform will depend, among other factors, on the resources and powers granted to the new local administrations.

*"The reform of local administration has been relaunched, with the goal of completing the amalgamation of localities and significantly reducing their number before the 2027 local elections. The effective implementation of this reform remains to be demonstrated,"* the European Commission states.

At the same time, central authorities must ensure a transparent reorganization of public institutions, guarantee fair remuneration for employees with similar responsibilities, and improve accountability in the use of budgetary resources.

Special attention must be paid to the financial autonomy of local administrations, enabling them to support the economic and social development of their communities.

**Greater transparency in Parliament**

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/2f8b2c69-a249-4179-b239-1b664e9e1cfb.jpg)

The use of accelerated legislative procedures and parliamentary oversight mechanisms continues to raise questions. Although the work of the legislature is generally considered efficient, Brussels recommends strengthening the accountability and integrity of members of parliament, including through the adoption of a code of conduct and ethics.

*“The adoption of the Code on the Organization and Functioning of Parliament in April 2026 has raised concerns among the opposition and civil society regarding the prohibition on individual members of parliament switching from one parliamentary group to another, as well as the lack of safeguards against the excessive use of emergency procedures,”* the report states.

Regarding foreign interference, the authorities have strengthened legislative and institutional tools to combat information manipulation.

However, the measures implemented need greater transparency.

Suggested solutions include publishing requests for content removal sent to online platforms, allowing citizens to assess information and potential disinformation attempts independently.

**Enhanced capabilities for combating crime**

Cooperation with European agencies and the strengthening of the legislative framework have contributed to better results in combating organized crime, money laundering, and human trafficking. Nevertheless, law enforcement institutions continue to face operational limitations.

For the period ahead, the Commission recommends more effective coordination among authorities, the use of European information-exchange tools, and the development of systems for recovering criminal assets.

Another objective is preparation for integration into European border management mechanisms. The Republic of Moldova must make progress on the Schengen Action Plan, appoint a national coordinator, and continue aligning its visa policy with that of the European Union.

*“The report also highlights where we need to focus our future efforts: better investigations, enhanced technical capabilities, more training for staff, and quality services. We know that accession to the European Union is measured not only by laws adopted or reforms initiated, but also by the changes people experience in their daily lives. I thank my colleagues for their hard work. We have clear objectives, and we continue to work toward them,”* commented the Minister of Internal Affairs, Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

**Detention conditions and political influence remain problematic**

Protecting fundamental rights still requires intervention across several state institutions. Identified priorities include improving conditions in penitentiaries, protecting persons with disabilities, and implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments.

Furthermore, Brussels recommends transferring responsibility for prison medical services from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Health.

On freedom of expression, legislative amendments on media ownership transparency and journalist protection have been welcomed. However, the effective application of these mechanisms remains essential, particularly in cases involving the intimidation or threatening of media representatives.

*“Media ownership concentration and political influence persist. Although some progress has been made in strengthening legal safeguards for the protection of journalists—notably through the adoption of legislation against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and an action plan on the safety of journalists—further efforts are required to ensure systematic investigation by law enforcement authorities and consistent judicial handling of such cases,”* the European Commission notes.

**Strategic infrastructure projects must be accelerated**

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/dac93a23-b893-41c6-94aa-30bc7c1dcae7.jpg)

The integration of the energy market into the European system is an area in which the Republic of Moldova has achieved significant results. The European Commission notes a high level of preparedness and commends the development of electricity trading mechanisms, the alignment of legislation with EU standards, and the expansion of renewable energy production. Nevertheless, the authorities must continue investing in energy efficiency and accelerate interconnection projects with neighboring states.

Priority projects include the Vulcănești–Chișinău, Bălți–Suceava, and Strășeni–Gutinaș power lines. The report also highlights delays in the commissioning of the Vulcănești–Chișinău line, which is considered essential for reducing the country's energy vulnerability.

Investments and reforms implemented over the past two years have contributed to strengthening the Republic of Moldova’s energy independence—achievements that are also recognized at the European level, states Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu.

The official noted that, despite the progress made, the modernization of the sector continues to require further effort and investment. “We have over 1,000 MW of installed renewable energy capacity, functional electricity markets, a gas market that is more open to competition, and major infrastructure projects that will enhance our interconnection with Romania and Ukraine. We have also made progress in energy efficiency, including through support programs for households. These are results achieved during a far from easy period, in which we had to manage crises while simultaneously building a more secure and modern energy sector,” wrote Dorin Junghietu on Facebook.

In the transport sector, the Commission calls for the completion of the railway company's reorganization and an acceleration of infrastructure modernization. This includes the Ungheni–Chișinău railway line, the North–South railway corridor, and projects to develop road connections with the European network.

Conversely, preparedness in the environmental sector remains limited. Investments in waste treatment, water protection, air pollution reduction, and biodiversity conservation must be accelerated, and the responsible institutions require additional administrative and financial capacity.

The results of these reforms should be reflected in improved environmental conditions and better services for citizens, argues Minister of the Environment Gheorghe Hajder.

*"We are making progress in modernizing air monitoring systems, developing regional waste management systems, protecting water resources, and expanding forests. We are moving ever closer to European standards and laying the foundation for a healthier environment for our communities and people. The next step is to make this progress increasingly visible in people's daily lives: through proper waste collection, sorting, and management; better-protected water; cleaner air; and institutions that perform their duties efficiently,"* wrote Gheorghe Hajder on Facebook.

**Strengthening sanitary-veterinary controls and land registration systems**

Managing agricultural subsidies and implementing European food safety standards are among the priorities for the coming year. Authorities must develop systems for recording land and agricultural holdings, modernize laboratory infrastructure, and strengthen sanitary-veterinary controls. These measures are essential to align the agri-food sector with European market requirements.

In this context, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Eugeniu Osmochescu, presented the indicative negotiation timeline for 2027. According to the official, the Republic of Moldova could provisionally close 25 of the 33 negotiation chapters—nine in the first half of the year and 16 in the second.

*“For the agri-food sector, Cluster 5 is of particular importance; it comprises three chapters: Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development, Chapter 12 – Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy, and Chapter 13 – Fisheries and Aquaculture. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry has already concluded the screening sessions for these chapters,”* the Minister stated.

**Education reforms must be put into practice**

In the fields of education and research, the Republic of Moldova has advanced from a moderate level of preparedness for EU accession to a level between moderate and good; the progress made in both areas has been acknowledged by the European Commission.

The report highlights amendments to the Education Code, measures to strengthen academic integrity, and the development of dual education.

Nevertheless, disparities between rural and urban schools, access to education for children with disabilities, and insufficient funding for research remain significant challenges.

To consolidate these results, the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, said the country must improve education quality, reduce inequalities, and support researchers.

*"However, the report also points out areas where we still face problems. Children need to achieve better learning outcomes, and the gap between rural and urban schools remains too wide. Children with disabilities require more support and accessible school environments. When a school is reorganized, we must ensure transportation is provided and assist families and teachers in navigating this transition. The new territorial agencies must address these issues more swiftly and effectively. Research remains under-resourced, and a significant innovation gap persists between Moldova and EU member states. We must increase funding, provide better conditions for young researchers, and establish a clearer link between the funds allocated to institutions and the results they achieve,"* Perciun wrote on Facebook.

***

The Republic of Moldova has made progress across all 33 negotiating chapters for accession to the European Union, advancing to a higher level of preparedness in 25 of them, according to the 2026 Enlargement Report published by the European Commission on November 4.

The Republic of Moldova is thus among the four candidate states that have made the most significant progress in the accession process. Nevertheless, agriculture, the environment, and financial and budgetary provisions remain areas requiring further effort.

Currently, four of the six clusters of negotiating chapters have been officially opened. The European Commission considers that the Republic of Moldova meets the conditions for opening the remaining two and has proposed a timeline under which 25 chapters could be provisionally closed in 2027.

The objective of the authorities in Chișinău is to conclude negotiations by early 2028; however, achieving this depends on the continuation of reforms and the fulfillment of the commitments undertaken.

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