The +Plus budget was approved by Parliament in the first reading. The document was presented in the legislative plenary by Prime Minister Dorin Recean. It was supported only by MPs from the PAS party. In his speech, the Prime Minister stated that this is the largest financial package ever allocated by the Government for investments, made possible thanks to the unprecedented openness from the European Union. The opposition criticized the draft, IPN reports.
“The +Plus Budget includes allocations of around 8 billion lei and is built on two dimensions: the energy package, through which we continue to support our citizens, and the economic development package, through which we will invest throughout the country to grow the economy, incomes, and citizens’ living standards”, said Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
The head of the executive also addressed the opposition, accusing them of having kept Moldova in a deadlock over the years.
“You haven’t lifted a finger to integrate Moldova into the EU’s energy system. You wanted to keep the Republic of Moldova tied to you and under the control of a foreign state. That was your strategy: vulnerability, blackmail, and dependence”, the Prime Minister stressed.
On the other hand, opposition MPs stated that these budget revisions would burden citizens, who will have to repay the loans.
“If this is the PAS campaign budget, everything is clear. In four years of governance, PAS took over 50 billion lei, and it all vanished like into sand”, said BCS MP Petru Burduja during the session.
“You’ve called this budget ‘+Plus’ - indeed it’s a ‘+Plus’ in terms of burdening the country with debt”, added Tatiana Cunetchi, also a BCS MP.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean responded that he sees no issue with loans, as long as they are taken responsibly.
“For every loan package, we also have a grant component. For example, from the 1.9 billion in funding for economic growth, 580 million are grants - funds that do not need to be repaid”, the Prime Minister explained.
BCS MP Alla Pilipetcaia questioned the Prime Minister about certain statements allegedly made by President Maia Sandu - “that those villages which do not support the referendum on Moldova’s EU integration will not receive support from these European funds”.
“We, the Government, support all localities. Your leaders are financing pro-war, anti-EU propaganda, and even buying votes. That’s all I can say in response”, said Dorin Recean.
BCS MP Alla Darovannaia noted that future governments will have to repay 32 billion lei to service the external debt. According to her, in 2025, interest payments will be lower than loan principal repayments, but in 2027, interest payments will exceed the actual loans.
“This loan that was just taken is short-term - for five years. How will the 2025 budget, including after revision, generate future revenues to cope with these debts?” asked Alla Darovannaia.
“No offense, but once again, you’ve mixed up all the numbers. Let’s not confuse public debt servicing with interest payments”, replied Dorin Recean.
“Sixty percent of the funds will go directly into investments. A large part of the compensation measures will free up disposable income for citizens, which in turn will drive economic growth through increased spending”, the Prime Minister added.
He also assured that investments would include projects in the municipality of Chisinau.
“We’ve also thought about Chisinau. We’ll finance landscaping projects in front of apartment blocks. All 155 schools - that’s every one of them - will receive investments in their food service infrastructure. Starting September 1, we will provide free meals for middle school students”, the Prime Minister stated.
In terms of economic development, 1 billion lei is allocated for local roads, another 1 billion for around 200 kilometers of regional and district roads, and 200 million lei for schools. Entrepreneurs, farmers, and young employees will also receive support.
