TRIBUNA continues its project presenting political events that took place exactly one year ago. This time, we invite you to recall what happened on September 17, 2025.

NOI Party Conference

The political party “NOI – New Historical Option” presented its vision for combating corruption at a press conference. Representatives of the party said that the Republic of Moldova did not meet the minimum conditions to be considered a rule-of-law state.

Government-Appointed Officials

At its meeting, the Government approved the appointment of Aurel Baciu as head of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. Prior to this, the Government had approved the dismissal of Alexandru Oprea as head of the GIES effective September 17. At the same time, the Government appointed Iurie Mahu as deputy director of the National Probation Inspectorate.

Irina Vlah’s Statement

Irina Vlah, leader of the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova,” part of the Patriotic Electoral Bloc of Socialists, Communists, Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova, said in a video statement that morning that the Central Electoral Commission was to examine submissions from two parties against the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova” and the Patriotic Electoral Bloc. She stressed that “in a state governed by the rule of law, with independent institutions, these submissions should have been rejected long ago.”

Searches Across the Country

The National Anticorruption Center, together with the Balti Municipal Prosecutor’s Office, conducted more than 70 searches throughout the Republic of Moldova, including in Chisinau, as part of a criminal case concerning suspicions of illegal financing of political parties under aggravating circumstances.

Vlad Filat’s Book

Vlad Filat, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova and chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova, presented his work “Four Years of PAS Governance in Figures and Statistics: Depopulation, Stagnation, Recession, or How Moldova Lost Four Years.” The politician said the book was an analytical work based on statistical data from numerous fields.

Foreign Ministry Announcement

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced that postal voting envelopes had been sent to all Moldovan citizens who had previously registered in Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand – 86; Canada – 641; the United States – 1,339; and Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland – 406.

U.S. Government Decision

The United States Government approved a project to build the Strășeni–Gutinaș electricity transmission line, “a $130 million initiative that will provide opportunities for American businesses, strengthen Moldova’s electricity grid and enhance its energy security.” Prime Minister Dorin Recean welcomed the U.S. Government’s decision.

“Alternativa” Bloc Program

The “Alternativa” Electoral Bloc presented its program, “Green Moldova – A Territory of Life.” Ana-Maria Păunescu, one of the bloc’s parliamentary candidates, announced that the bloc was proposing a concrete plan to transform the Republic of Moldova into a clean, healthy and nature-friendly country.

Vasile Tarlev’s Announcement

Vasile Tarlev, chairman of the “Future of Moldova” Party, announced that he had been the target of a cyberattack. His personal Facebook pages, as well as the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the “Future of Moldova” Party, were hacked.

Victor Marahovschi’s Proposal

Victor Marahovschi, secretary general of the “Moldovans” Alliance party, presented a draft law proposing amendments to the Constitution aimed at “restoring citizens’ trust in the fundamental institution of constitutional justice.”

CEC Decisions

The Central Electoral Commission examined, at its meeting, an appeal filed by the Moldovan National Party and a complaint submitted by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe concerning alleged illegal financing of the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova,” part of the Patriotic Electoral Bloc of Socialists, Communists, Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova.

In this context, the CEC imposed a warning on the electoral bloc for violating legal provisions on political party financing. The CEC also decided to launch a comprehensive audit of the financing of the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova” for the period May 1–August 31, 2025, and of the electoral bloc for the period August 18–October 1, 2025.

The CEC further decided to notify the Ministry of Justice to examine the applicability of legal provisions concerning restrictions on the activities of political parties. In a statement, the Patriotic Electoral Bloc condemned what it called the “abusive decision of the CEC,” saying it would challenge the decision in court. Irina Vlah, leader of the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova,” said that, by examining the two submissions, the Central Electoral Commission “could not refrain and, taking advantage of the situation, demonstrated its political allegiance to the government.”

CEC Announcement

The Central Electoral Commission announced that September 18, 2025, was the final day on which changes could be requested to candidate lists registered for the parliamentary elections of September 28, 2025.

Maia Sandu at an Economic Forum

President Maia Sandu participated in the Romania–Republic of Moldova Economic Forum, an event that brought together entrepreneurs, investors and professionals committed to economic development on both banks of the Prut River in Chisinau.

CUB Program Launch

The Coalition for Unity and Welfare (CUB) launched a comprehensive national program dedicated to the diaspora, consisting of two strategic components: the affordable housing program “A Home for Coming Home” for young people and families, and the creation of a national network of modern geriatric centers for seniors.

Government Approves Strategy

The long-term Sectoral Strategy for the Renovation of the National Housing Stock for 2025–2050 was approved at a Government meeting. The Strategy and Roadmap were developed with the support of UNDP Moldova, the Energy Community Secretariat, the European Union and the Government of Denmark.

Students at Parliament

Students of the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts (AMTFA) organized a legislative theatre workshop at the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. Officials from the Parliament’s Secretariat also participated in the event. The workshop was held as part of Parliamentary Openness Week.

Igor Grosu Meets Iwona Piórko

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu met with Iwona Piórko, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova. The discussions focused on projects implemented with EU support to improve people’s quality of life.

Socialists’ Visit

Igor Dodon, chairman of the Party of Socialists and co-chair of the Patriotic Bloc of Socialists, Communists, Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova, together with his colleagues, visited Anenii Noi District, where he held several electoral meetings with citizens.

Response to Igor Dodon

Igor Dodon, chairman of the Party of Socialists and co-chair of the Patriotic Bloc of Socialists, Communists, Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova, commented on the response of the Party of Action and Solidarity to his official request for evidence regarding what he called Grosu’s “scare tactics”: “In response to my official request to provide evidence or retract the statements made by the PAS leader regarding my alleged promises concerning gas debts, Grosu said that his statements were merely a ‘value judgment.’”

MAIA Completes Screening

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) completed bilateral screening sessions with the European Commission for some of the most complex chapters of the EU acquis: Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development; Chapter 12 – Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy; and Chapter 13 – Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Ion Ceban Meets Social Workers

Ion Ceban, one of the leaders of the “Alternativa” Bloc, held a meeting with social workers, “those who, despite also having low salaries, were every day alongside the most vulnerable.”

Prosecutor’s Office Announcement

The Prosecutor General’s Office announced that the extradition of Vladimir Plahotniuc to the Republic of Moldova had been suspended following a decision by the Ministry of Justice of the Hellenic Republic dated September 17, 2025, without the reasons being specified. Prime Minister Dorin Recean reacted to the decision to suspend Vlad Plahotniuc’s extradition, stating: “We will investigate how the offender managed to prevent his extradition.”

Appeal to the Diaspora

Andrei Năstase, an independent parliamentary candidate, addressed Moldovan citizens abroad, proposing the creation of a Civic Diaspora Platform, “a structure with legal status and the right to run independently, without the filters and mercy of political parties.”

PAS Leader’s Warning

Igor Grosu, Speaker of Parliament and chairman of the Party of Action and Solidarity, issued a warning to citizens. He said he had information that in the coming days “alleged – false – screenshots” would be released publicly, which, according to him, “Russian propaganda was creating together with the Șor criminal network.”

Election Press Club

Preparations for the parliamentary elections of September 28, as well as combating the most common disinformation emerging ahead of an election, were the central topics of a press club attended by Central Electoral Commission Chairwoman Angelica Caraman. The event, held in Cahul and organized by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, brought together regional media outlets.

TikTok Announcement

The TikTok platform announced that more than 100,000 fake accounts had been removed in the Republic of Moldova between July 1 and September 9, 2025, amid preparations for the early parliamentary elections of September 28. The platform also announced that it had blocked more than 250,000 spam accounts, proactively prevented 2.2 million fake likes and 1.4 million fake follow requests, and removed 1.3 million fake likes and 1.6 million fake followers.

Source: Political Almanac 2025