Strategic budget allocations, disguised government campaigns, and political promotion through public institutions have become systemic in Moldova, according to the Promo-LEX election observation mission. Experts warn that these practices violate the principle of equal opportunity for political parties and erode public trust in the electoral process.
What Is the Abuse of Administrative Resources?
By law, the abuse of administrative resources refers to the use of public infrastructure, assets, personnel, or other state-held resources for political or electoral purposes. Promo-LEX emphasizes that such abuse does not occur exclusively during official election periods but continues outside of them as well.
Observers have repeatedly urged authorities to regulate and prohibit these practices and to sanction public officials who misuse state resources for political gain.
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2025 Elections: Expanding Violations
Although Moldova’s legal framework bans the use of administrative resources during election periods, Promo-LEX’s first report on the 2025 parliamentary elections highlights a growing number of violations.
The NGO identifies the government’s “Bugetul +Plus” initiative, the “Moldova Can” campaign, and pre-school-year support for families as examples of state programs used for political promotion. According to Promo-LEX, the visual presentation, messaging, and communications surrounding these programs mirror electoral campaigning and suggest a fusion between state institutions and a ruling party.
“These electorally packaged initiatives create an uneven playing field, disadvantaging parties that do not have access to the state budget or public institutions,” observers note.
Promo-LEX also highlights the case of Chisinau City Hall and the MAN party, led by Mayor Ion Ceban. The NGO reports that the city’s public communication often features personalized messages and visual branding associated with the party—effectively turning institutional communication into political promotion.
“In some cases, these messages were sponsored by the party itself,” Promo-LEX states, “raising concerns about the indirect use of public funds for electoral campaigning.”
2024 Presidential Elections and Referendum: Over 280 Cases Documented
During the 2024 presidential elections and referendum, Promo-LEX documented at least 282 cases of administrative resource abuse. Most of these involved President Maia Sandu and the ruling Action and Solidarity Party (PAS).
Violations included:
- Public officials engaging in campaign activities;
- Electioneering and signature collection during working hours;
- Use of state institutions to promote political initiatives;
- Politicians taking credit for projects funded by public money.
While the number of documented cases is higher than in 2019, 2020, and 2023, it remains lower than during the 2021 parliamentary elections, when such abuses peaked.
Systemic Problem Regardless of Power
“The abusive use of administrative resources is a constant, regardless of who is in power,” Promo-LEX concludes. “The absence of political will to investigate and sanction these actions perpetuates unfair competition and undermines public trust in the democratic process.”
Promo-LEX calls on authorities to take firm action to prevent and penalize these abuses to ensure free and fair elections based on democratic principles and the rule of law.