INSIDE MOLDOVA Maia Sandu awarded in Strasbourg | New justice reforms | IMF Deal Signed | When will Moldova start EU negotiations?

Over the past week, the Republic of Moldova has remained at the center of European Union-related developments after President Maia Sandu received the European Order of Merit in Strasbourg in recognition of her efforts to promote European values. On May 21, she also received the GLOBSEC Award alongside Roberta Metsola.

At the same time, Moldovan authorities presented the reforms implemented under Clusters 4 and 5 of the country’s EU accession process. However, Vice President of the European Parliament Nicolae Ștefănuță stated that the official opening of accession negotiations remains unlikely in the near future, because of Hungary’s position. 

Meanwhile, over the past few days, the scandal surrounding Chișinău City Hall continued to escalate, Parliament voted on a reform redefining the responsibilities of Moldova’s prosecution offices, a new agreement was signed with the International Monetary Fund, and the head of a state institution resigned following the controversy surrounding Eurovision.

Security, Europe, and foreign affairs: Russian drone protest, EU support, and Moldova’s accession process

At the European level, support for Moldova’s accession process continued to intensify. During a visit to Chișinău, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola declared that „Moldova’s place is in the European Union”, praising the country for remaining committed to democratic reforms despite „constant destabilization attempts” from Russia. Metsola also highlighted the strengthening of parliamentary cooperation between Brussels and Chișinău, including the opening of a European Parliament liaison office in Moldova.

President Maia Sandu received the European Order of Merit in Strasbourg, a distinction established by the European Parliament to mark the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. The award honors personalities who have significantly contributed to promoting European values and strengthening the European project. The ceremony was attended by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Also, Maia Sandu participated on May 21 in the 21st edition of the GLOBSEC Forum, held in Prague, under the auspices of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, with over 1,800 participants from almost 80 countries. During the forum, the President was awarded the GLOBSEC Award, alongside the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov presented Moldova’s latest progress in the EU accession process during a meeting of the EU Council Working Party on Enlargement (COELA) in Brussels. Discussions focused on reforms related to the „Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity” cluster, as well as agriculture, resources, and cohesion policies.

Meanwhile, European Parliament Vice President Nicolae Ștefănuță stated that opening the first negotiation cluster with Moldova before the end of Cyprus’s presidency of the EU Council remains possible, although unlikely because of Hungary’s position on Ukraine-related issues. Ștefănuță warned that delays in the enlargement process could weaken pro-European public support in Moldova, stressing that the country needs visible progress to maintain investor confidence and public trust in the European project.

Economic data also reflected Moldova’s growing integration with the European market. According to official statistics cited by the EU Delegation in Moldova, exports to EU member states reached 68.1% of the country’s total exports in 2025, exceeding 2.55 billion dollars and continuing a steady upward trend over recent years.

The Moldovan government also announced a new three-year policy coordination program agreed at expert level with the International Monetary Fund. Authorities stated that the reforms included in the program aim to improve public finance management, strengthen economic governance, and support Moldova’s broader EU accession agenda.

Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russia’s accredited ambassador to Chișinău, Oleg Ozerov, on May 18 to hand him another official protest note after a Russian drone violated Moldovan airspace on May 13. The incident comes amid growing regional security concerns caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine and repeated cases of drones or missile fragments crossing into Moldovan territory.

Culture and public controversy: Eurovision backlash leads to resignation

A public controversy erupted after Moldova’s jury votes in the Eurovision 2026 final sparked criticism among viewers. Following the backlash, Teleradio Moldova director Vlad Țurcanu announced his resignation, stating that the jury failed to reflect Moldova’s close ties with Romania and its solidarity with Ukraine, because of the low points accorded to them. He emphasized that Moldova’s support for Ukraine „cannot be zero points” and described relations with Romania as based on „brotherhood and love.” At the same time, ZdG discovered that a Russian journalist was part of Moldovan delegation and received accreditation from Eurovision only after Moldova first brought him in. 

Politics and elections: tensions around Ion Ceban, local elections, and Kremlin influence operations

Political tensions in Chișinău intensified after former deputy mayor’s accusations made by former deputy mayor Irina Gutnic against Mayor Ion Ceban, leader of the „National Alternative Movement” (MAN), a party that presents itself as pro-European, despite Ceban’s past ties to the Socialist Party and his participation in several anti-EU protests. This week, she accused Mayor Ion Ceban of intimidation and misuse of public funds. Gutnic claimed she had been threatened and alleged that wasteful spending had become „a rule” inside City Hall. The municipality rejected the accusations, claiming they formed part of a political campaign orchestrated by the ruling PAS party.

Electoral tensions also remained high following the first round of new local elections held on May 17. Moldova’s Central Electoral Commission announced second rounds in Orhei, Taraclia, and Ruseștii Noi after no candidate secured an outright majority. In Orhei, independent candidate Ramiz Ansarov and priest Sergiu Aga advanced to the runoff. The city remains politically sensitive because of the influence of fugitive oligarch Ilan Șor, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the „Bank Fraud” case but continues to exert influence through political proxies and networks linked to Moscow.

Another investigation published this week by Armenian investigative outlet FIP.am alleged that the Kremlin continues to coordinate information campaigns aimed at discrediting Moldova’s pro-European authorities and President Maia Sandu. According to leaked documents cited by journalists, Romanian businessman and former MP Sebastian Ghiță, founder of România TV, allegedly received suggested narratives intended to damage Sandu’s image.

Justice and corruption: judges, prosecutors, bribery, and institutional reforms

Parliament approved in first reading a major legislative package aimed at clarifying the competencies of anti-corruption and organized crime institutions. The reform would strengthen the role of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA), the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, and the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS), while improving coordination in complex corruption and financial crime investigations. Authorities say the changes are necessary to increase institutional independence and align Moldova’s justice sector with European standards.

A Chișinău judge was found guilty of knowingly issuing an illegal ruling related to the suspension of measures imposed by the National Financial Market Commission against an insurance company. However, she avoided criminal punishment because the statute of limitations had expired. The magistrate involved is judge Olesea Țurcan.

At the same time, several senior prosecutors attracted public attention after ZdG wrote about their wealth and integrity concerns. ZdG reported that the wife of Prosecutor General Alexandru Machidon previously worked for individuals targeted in criminal investigations, while PCCOCS chief Victor Furtuna and his deputy Dumitru Robu disclosed expensive real estate acquisitions in recent years.

Security and social issues: military tragedy, fraud schemes, and Moldova Pride

Closed-door parliamentary hearings took place after the death of a 16-year-old boy shot inside a military unit in Cahul. According to parliamentary officials, a contract soldier improperly entered a visitors’ smoking area while carrying a weapon and accidentally discharged the firearm. The incident reignited criticism of the Defence Ministry and concerns regarding military discipline and transparency.

Authorities also warned about a sharp increase in fraud cases. Moldovan police reported 24 scams within a single day, causing damages exceeding 1.5 million lei. Investigators say fraudsters continue impersonating public institutions and banks in order to obtain victims’ money and banking information.

On social issues, 38 diplomatic missions accredited in Moldova signed a joint declaration marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOT). The embassies expressed support for Moldova Pride and the upcoming Solidarity March scheduled for June 21, emphasizing that every individual should have „the freedom to be themselves regardless of who they are or whom they love.” Mayor Ion Ceban banns Moldova Pride every year, even if declares himself as being a pro-european politician.

Economy, labor, and environmental reforms

Economy Minister Eugen Osmochescu clarified controversial remarks regarding Moldova’s labor shortage after previously stating that the country would need an additional 300,000 workers to reach minimum EU productivity levels. He explained that the figure represented a long-term development scenario rather than an immediate policy objective and, at the moment, only 100,000 foreigners can be injected into our labor market. 

The government also ratified a social security agreement with Slovakia that will allow Moldovan citizens working there to benefit from pensions, disability benefits, and other social protections by combining insurance periods accumulated in both countries.

In the environmental sector, the NGO „ECO-RET Moldova” was appointed administrator of Moldova’s future packaging deposit-return system. The selection process generated controversy after competing companies and retailers accused authorities of lacking transparency in the evaluation procedure. Gheorghe Hajder, the environment minister declared that it does not make sense to him, because the company is part of the same group. 

Anticorruption exhibitions in the regions 

Over the past several weeks, ZdG organized a series of anticorruption exhibitions focused on electoral and political culture across three cities in Moldova. The concept drew on “the Tree of Life” — a powerful traditional symbol found on local carpets — as a visual metaphor for values like integrity and transparency. We asked participants in all 3 places, ”If you were to weave a tree of life from the values ​​of your local community today, what choices would you make? What values ​​would you «elect» for the tree of life?”

The exhibitions coincided with active electoral moments: in Orhei and Taraclia local elections were approaching, and in Comrat, the electoral process for the Gagauzia Popular Assembly remains under discussions. That is why the exhibition includes an important exercise for every community: the voting station, and on the ballot are not names, but values ​​that should be chosen in a democratic society.