Chisinau authorities and Termoelectrica clash over Cathedral Square repairs

A dispute between Chisinau municipal authorities and the energy company Termoelectrica has escalated in Cathedral Square over unauthorized repair works on a heating pipeline. Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban has accused the company of attempting to perform illegal excavations without proper permits, while Termoelectrica maintains that the work is an urgent response to a confirmed underground pipe failure that must be addressed before the heating season.

The confrontation led to significant tension, including the police escorting Pavel Movilă, the vice-mayor of the Buiucani sector, to the police station for alleged insubordination or interference. Mayor Ceban has further alleged that police actions in the area are being conducted under “political orders” from the ruling PAS party, a claim for which he has not provided evidence. Conversely, PAS representatives have dismissed the mayor's stance as “political PR.”

In a related development, several media organizations, including the Center for Independent Journalism, have condemned verbal attacks by municipal councilor Ion Bulgac against journalist Viorica Tătaru during the unrest. The councilor reportedly used offensive language toward the journalist when questioned about the situation in the square.