Selinia Cojocaru faces scrutiny over public sector appointments

Selinia Cojocaru, a 22-year-old vice president of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) Youth Organization, has faced scrutiny regarding her rapid professional advancement within Moldovan public institutions. Investigations indicate that Cojocaru has held positions at the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Environment, and the National Administration ‘Apele Moldovei’ within a three-year period.

Reports suggest that these appointments occurred without public competitive examinations. In several instances, she was hired through direct contracts or small-value service procedures that bypass standard public procurement requirements. At the time of her initial employment in July 2023, Cojocaru was 19 years old and had only recently completed high school, lacking a university degree.

Integrity and anti-corruption experts have noted that this career trajectory raises concerns regarding favoritism and the equality of opportunity for young professionals without political affiliations.