Moldovan government fiscal and administrative controversies

President Maia Sandu has addressed multiple fiscal and administrative controversies in Moldova. Regarding public sector compensation, Sandu cited economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, such as the conflict in Iran and rising energy prices, as reasons for delays in promised salary increases for employees like teachers. While hikes of 10% to 30% were intended for September 1, the government must first establish a clear fiscal policy and identify budget sources.

On August 17, 2026, teachers and education workers organized by the Federation of Education and Science Trade Unions (FSEȘ) held a protest in Chișinău’s Great National Assembly Square. Protesters demanded the fulfillment of wage hike commitments. During the demonstration, Education Minister Dan Perciun faced heckling, though Prime Minister Vasile Tofan defended the minister, stating Perciun has “fought extensively for teachers’ rights” despite budgetary constraints.

Separately, Sandu has called for an investigation by the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) into the legality of additional payments made to hundreds of employees at MoldATSA. The inquiry focuses on whether the institution’s director, Dumitru Vangheli, had the legal authority to issue these contract-based payments, emphasizing that the law must be applied equally to all state institutions.

In a related development regarding fiscal integrity, Moldovan authorities dismantled an import fraud scheme involving electric scooters and tricycles from China. The scheme, which utilized false customs declarations regarding the characteristics of imported goods, resulted in an estimated 4 million lei loss to the state budget.