Maia Sandu’s Meeting with Maria Luís Albuquerque

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, met with Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union. The discussions focused on deepening economic and financial cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, in the context of advancing the European integration process.

Meeting of the “Moldovans” Alliance

A meeting of the National Political Council of the “Moldovans” Alliance Party took place, during which Dumitru Roibu was elected the party’s new chairman. The party also addressed Prime Minister-designate Alexandru Munteanu, asking him to study the Strategy for the Development of the Republic of Moldova, prepared by the party.

Nicu Popescu Appointed to a New Position

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, signed a decree appointing Nicu Popescu as Special Envoy for European Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. The Special Envoy for European Affairs and Strategic Partnerships was mandated to strengthen support for the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union, advance the political dimension of the accession process, and develop relations with the country’s strategic partners to strengthen peace and security, in close cooperation with the President, the Government, and Parliament. Subsequently, Nicu Popescu announced that he would give up his parliamentary mandate and dedicate himself to his role as special envoy.

Vote of Confidence for the Government

Parliament granted a vote of confidence to the Cabinet of Ministers led by Alexandru Munteanu and approved the “EU, Peace, Development” Government Programme. Support for the new Government was expressed by 55 MPs from the parliamentary majority of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS).

The Cabinet proposed by Alexandru Munteanu consisted of: Eugen Osmochescu – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization; Mihai Popșoi – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Vladimir Bolea – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development; Cristina Gherasimov – Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration; Valeriu Chiveri – Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration; Dan Perciun – Minister of Education; Ludmila Catlabuga – Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry; Daniella Misail-Nichitin – Minister of Internal Affairs; Vladimir Cojuhari – Minister of Justice; Andrian Gavriliță – Minister of Finance; Natalia Plugaru – Minister of Social Protection; Emil Ceban – Minister of Health; Gheorghe Hajder – Minister of the Environment; Cristian Jardan – Minister of Culture; Dorin Junghietu – Minister of Energy; and Anatolie Nosatîi – Minister of Defence.

Eight MPs Resign

Parliament took note of the resignations of eight MPs. Five lawmakers relinquished their parliamentary mandates after becoming members of the Cabinet of Ministers led by Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu: Vladimir Bolea, Mihai Popșoi, Dan Perciun, Ludmila Catlabuga, and Emil Ceban.

Meanwhile, Dorin Recean and Artur Mija submitted their resignations after previously announcing their withdrawal from politics. Nicu Popescu also resigned after being appointed Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Moldova for European Affairs and Strategic Partnerships.

Ion Ceban’s Proposal

Ion Ceban, the Mayor General of Chișinău, drew attention to the Council of Europe’s harsh criticism of the Republic of Moldova regarding the functioning of local public administration. The criticism was outlined in a Council of Europe report.

The mayor proposed that the report be examined by Moldova’s central authorities together with the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM), and that the Council of Europe’s recommendations be adopted and implemented.

Court Ruling

The Chișinău Court, Buiucani District Office, delivered its verdict in the cases involving the former Șor Party’s territorial office heads in Criuleni and Ialoveni. Both were convicted of complicity in knowingly accepting political party financing from an organized criminal group.

The court sentenced both defendants to four years in prison and banned them from holding leadership positions in political parties. The prison sentences were suspended, subject to a three-year probation period.

PNM’s Request

The Moldovan National Party (PNM) asked the Government of the Republic of Moldova to amend the legislation so that people with disabilities engaged in economic activities—including through peasant households or individual enterprises—could continue to receive state-funded health insurance without being required to pay the fixed health insurance premium.

Source: Political Almanac 2025