INSIDE MOLDOVA Moldova to replace 32 districts with three regions | Gas tariff rises | Opposition launch procedure seeking President’s suspension | Russian drones breach Moldovan airspace
Moldova’s administrative reform, energy developments and security challenges dominated the agenda this week, as the government unveiled plans to replace the country’s 32 districts with three administrative regions – North, Centre and South. Meanwhile, the European Union announced that another €157 million under the Growth Plan would soon be disbursed to Moldova, while Norway pledged additional support for strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.
Security and energy issues also remained in focus. Several Russian drones crossed Moldovan airspace during the week, with flying objects crashing and exploding in Orhei and Anenii Noi districts, while Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi said Moldova was developing systems capable of intercepting drones and missiles. ANRE approved a new regulated natural gas tariff, while the government adopted its Energy Strategy for 2026–2050. Separately, 46 opposition MPs signed an initiative to begin the procedure for suspending President Maia Sandu from office.
EU announces €157 million disbursement as Moldova strengthens international partnerships
Moldova is set to receive another €157 million under the European Union’s Growth Plan, European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis announced during a two-day visit to Chișinău. Dombrovskis met President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Vasile Tofan and attended the annual international conference organized by the National Bank of Moldova. He stressed that economic integration with the EU would not happen automatically and that Moldova needs appropriate policies and strong institutions to increase productivity, wages and living standards.
Meanwhile, Norway announced new support aimed at strengthening Moldova’s defense capabilities and national resilience amid security challenges generated by Russia’s war against Ukraine. In a separate diplomatic development, President Sandu awarded Poland’s outgoing ambassador to Moldova, Tomasz Kobzdej, the Order of Honour at the end of his diplomatic mission.
The United States also announced new measures targeting the A7 financial network, founded by fugitive Moldovan politician Ilan Shor together with Russia’s Promsvyazbank. U.S. authorities said the network had been used to circumvent sanctions and transfer illicit funds, including for actors in Russia and Iran. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated A7 as a significant transnational criminal organization, while the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed restrictions on transfers involving A7 subagents.
Government unveils plan to replace Moldova’s 32 districts with three administrative regions
Moldova’s 32 existing districts are set to be reorganized into three administrative regions — North, Centre and South — under a major reform of second-level local public administration presented by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan on October 1. Second-level administrative-territorial units would be renamed “regions,” while Taraclia would become a new municipality. Chișinău and Bălți municipalities would retain their existing powers.
Institutions and public services currently managed by district authorities would be transferred either to municipalities or central authorities, but would remain in their existing localities so residents could continue accessing them. District-owned assets would similarly be transferred, while the new regional administrations would operate with smaller administrative structures and budgets. The government says the reform is intended to strengthen municipalities and move Moldova away from the administrative system inherited from the Soviet period.
Russian drones breach Moldovan airspace as government develops new air-defense capabilities
Several Russian drones crossed Moldovan airspace during the week amid large-scale Russian attacks against Ukraine. Moldova’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the incursions, while one drone exploded in Orhei district and another flying object fell and exploded outside Hîrbovăț village in Anenii Noi district.
Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi said Moldova was implementing projects to strengthen its air-defense capabilities, including systems capable of intercepting drones and missiles. As the country does not operate fighter aircraft such as F-16s, F-18s or Eurofighters, authorities are focusing on alternative air-defense capabilities. Nosatîi said projects were underway to equip the National Army with interceptor missile systems and interceptor drones.
Gas tariff rises as government adopts long-term energy strategy
Moldova’s energy regulator ANRE approved a new regulated natural gas tariff of 26.14 lei per cubic meter including VAT, slightly below the 26.25 lei requested by state-owned Energocom. The new tariff entered into force on October 1. Energocom attributed the increase to higher procurement costs, saying European gas market prices had risen by 42.15% since its previous tariff adjustment request in July. Dozens of people protested outside ANRE headquarters against higher gas and heating tariffs while the regulator was considering the increases.
The government also approved Moldova’s Energy Strategy for 2026–2050, which will guide the sector’s development over the next 25 years. The strategy aims to build a secure, competitive and resilient energy system integrated into the European energy market and capable of supporting both economic development and Moldova’s EU accession process.
Separately, Energocom announced that it would move its headquarters after scrutiny over the approximately 6.37 million lei, excluding VAT, it pays annually to rent more than 2,200 square meters of office space. ZdG recently reported that the rent was paid to a company controlled by businessman Arcadie Topalo, who is a defendant in a money-laundering and tax-evasion case and was previously convicted of similar offenses. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu said the rent accounted for less than one ban in the price of a cubic meter of gas but acknowledged that its limited impact on the tariff did not eliminate the company’s obligation to ensure transparency.
Opposition MPs launch procedure seeking President Sandu’s suspension
Forty-six opposition MPs signed an initiative to begin the procedure for suspending President Maia Sandu from office, according to PDCM leader Ion Chicu. Representatives of PCRM, PSRM, Our Party, Alternativa and Democracy at Home participated in the announcement. Chicu accused the current government of contributing to a deterioration of the country’s social, economic and political situation and alleged violations of the separation of powers.
Separately, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office completed its investigation and sent to court a criminal case against former MP Viorel Melnic, who allegedly acted unofficially in the interests of parties belonging to the Victory/Pobeda political bloc. Prosecutors accuse him of illegal political-party financing and money laundering. Melnic was detained in September 2025 but was later released and, in January 2026, provided testimony in the “Bank Fraud” case concerning the Plahotniuc episode.
Moldova’s €300,000 aeromedical heliports remain unused three years after completion
ZdG found out that four heliports built for aeromedical missions in Moldova remain non-operational three years after their completion, despite more than 5.6 million lei being invested in the facilities. SMURD helicopters continue to land at Dinamo Stadium in Chișinău because the legal framework required for certifying the heliports has still not been adjusted.
At the end of 2025, the Court of Accounts asked the Infrastructure Ministry and Interior Ministry to take steps to complete the regulatory framework by March 14, 2026. By October, however, the situation remained unchanged. The Interior Ministry told ZdG that it and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations were discussing a regulatory and institutional solution with the Infrastructure Ministry. Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Bolea, however, said he was unaware of the issue when asked about it.
