The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM) has called on the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) to launch a broad public consultation process on the future governance program, involving civil society, academia, the business community, social partners, and responsible political forces.

According to PLDM’s statement, PAS avoided public debates during the electoral campaign and failed to address Moldova’s real challenges—inflation, budget deficit, energy crisis, population exodus, and the collapse of the education system. Instead of a confrontation of ideas, citizens witnessed a campaign driven by fear, alarmism, and emotional manipulation, lacking concrete proposals and sustainable economic solutions. Now, with a parliamentary majority, PAS has a moral and political obligation to compensate for this lack of dialogue through genuine transparency and accountability.

PLDM emphasizes that overcoming the economic crisis must be the top priority of the future governance program. No recovery plan can be credible if it ignores the demographic crisis, which is closely tied to economic decline. Depopulation means not only the loss of labor force but also the disintegration of communities, collapse of rural economies, and erosion of human capital. The way out requires coherent policies to stimulate domestic production, support investments, repatriate workers, and rebuild trust in Moldova’s economic prospects.

The party warns that the main challenge for the future PAS government will be addressing the massive budget deficit, caused by unproductive spending and populist promises. In this context, raising taxes and introducing new levies—such as property and vehicle usage taxes, or a 20% increase in car import duties starting January 1, 2026—would be a serious economic mistake. Moldova already has 161 taxes and fees, and PLDM cautions that PAS risks turning fiscal policy into a survival tool rather than a development engine.

PLDM calls for a real austerity policy in the public sector, targeting excessive salaries and privileges granted to PAS loyalists. “Austerity must start from the top, not from citizens’ pockets,” the statement reads. Urgent measures include cutting administrative expenses, merging redundant institutions, and ensuring transparency in public spending.

The party reiterates that sustainable economic development is achieved through investment. Strengthening Moldova’s capacity to absorb future EU accession funds must become a strategic national priority, not a tool for political propaganda. Moldova needs competent, professional, and non-discriminatory structures capable of managing EU development funds transparently and equitably.

PLDM insists that internal trade coordination must be a strategic priority, enabling Moldova’s economy to function as an integrated system. Agriculture should once again become the engine of economic development, not only for economic reasons but also for social and political ones. With villages disappearing amid mass emigration, Moldova faces one of the highest depopulation rates globally. The new government must create real and fair market access for small farmers and landowners, supported by clear mechanisms for distribution, promotion, and sale of local products. Agricultural marketing—from pricing and logistics to packaging and export innovation—needs a complete overhaul.

PLDM also highlights the urgency of addressing accelerated depopulation, declining education quality, and labor shortages. The future governance program must include strategies for increasing birth rates, repatriating citizens, and retraining youth. Education must align with the needs of the modern economy, and human capital must be treated as Moldova’s primary national resource.

Finally, PLDM urges PAS to end the practice of closed-door decision-making and open a genuine national dialogue on Moldova’s development path. A government formed without public consultation lacks democratic legitimacy. “Moldova needs a government of competence, not obedience; governance for the people, not for the party,” the statement concludes.

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