Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu stated that the lawyer system in the Republic of Moldova requires internal reform and a “purification” process to restore public trust in the profession. He made the statement during the TVR Moldova program “Punctul pe Azi” (“Focus on Today”).
Grosu stressed that the professional community must hold open and responsible discussions about how people enter the field and about the conduct of certain lawyers during court proceedings.
“There are issues we must discuss regarding how some individuals join the profession — not only those who graduate from universities but also those who come from other backgrounds. The community must ensure that when someone enters the legal field with questionable qualities, their later behavior does not harm the reputation of the entire guild,” Grosu said.
The Speaker recalled cases in which certain lawyers deliberately delayed investigations and trials involving criminal groups supported by the Russian Federation. He also criticized the participation of some lawyers in political activities or in parties linked to convicted figures.
“Some lawyers took sides with representatives of criminal groups. If you want to do politics — fine, go into politics — but when it comes to defending the interests of the state, that must be your priority,” Grosu emphasized.
He also addressed the idea of vetting in the legal profession — an internal evaluation process meant to remove compromised individuals and restore credibility.
“The President called it ‘vetting’ — it’s a form of self-assessment, a purification of the guild. The discussion must begin within the community, with maximum transparency. I believe that within the community of lawyers, there exists a critical mass of courageous professionals who can launch this reform,” Grosu concluded.