At the end of May 2025, the Republic of Moldova adopted significant amendments to the legal framework regulating political party financing. Lawmakers aimed these legislative changes at strengthening the integrity of the political and electoral processes by introducing stricter transparency, oversight, and sanctions against illegal practices. In particular, the new regulations seek to prevent and combat electoral corruption, reduce the impact of undeclared funds in electoral campaigns, and ensure fair competition among political parties.
The Promo-LEX Association presented these findings in its monitoring report titled ”Political Party Financing in the Republic of Moldova. Retrospective of 2024.” The full report is available here.
What changes did the authorities make? The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova passed two key legislative proposals related to political party financing. Promo-LEX actively participated in the public consultation phase and submitted a series of proposals to clarify legal terminology and establish a coherent regulatory framework that promotes democracy, protects political pluralism, and prevents abuse during election campaigns. Here is a summary of the provisions:
- Regulation of political blocs: The new rules allow parties to form political blocs based on agreements registered with the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). The parties forming a bloc are collectively accountable for any financial expenditures related to their joint actions.
- Party audits: Lawmakers moved the deadline for submitting audit reports from March 31 to May 15. Parties must now conduct audits according to procedures and methodology approved by the CEC.
- Successor parties to unconstitutional entities: The updated legal framework prohibits the registration or operation of successor parties linked to those declared unconstitutional. Courts will evaluate connections, symbols, and activities to determine whether the new party represents a disguised continuation.
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Promo-LEX supported the initiative to regulate successor parties and requested further clarification and clear criteria for identifying such parties and prohibiting their operation.
- Membership records and reporting: The new laws require parties to regularly update and submit membership registers to the CEC and the Public Services Agency (PSA). Failing to do so could result in restrictions on party activity or disqualification from elections—especially if members fail to submit asset and interest declarations.
- Electoral corruption: Legislators redefined ”electoral corruption” by including the phrase ”promise of goods or benefits.” Active electoral corruption now carries up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching 20,000 conventional units (equivalent to 1 million Moldovan lei), depending on the offender.
Promo-LEX highlighted the difficulty of distinguishing between legitimate electoral promises and corrupt acts involving promises of goods or services—since such promises are a natural element of election campaigns. This ambiguity may complicate legal enforcement.
- Illegal party financing: The authorities introduced harsher penalties for illegal party financing. The offense now carries a prison term of up to 15 years, compared to the previous maximum of six.
According to the report, between late 2023 and May 2025, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office referred 12 cases for trial. By May 31, at least 17 cases remained under examination, and in March 2025, courts convicted two MPs and one associate for illegal party financing and misuse of political funds. Authorities placed all three convicted individuals under wanted status.
- Restrictions on political activity: Legislators expanded the grounds for suspending party activity by including failure to submit membership lists. In severe cases, authorities may impose restrictions even during election campaigns.
Courts will examine all cases related to party activity restrictions through a single judicial body—the Chisinau Court of Appeal (Center) and will resolve them within two months.
- Corruption of assembly participants: Lawmakers introduced new sanctions targeting financial compensation for political meeting attendees and organized transportation to such events when conducted illegally.
- Political promotion through philanthropy: The legal framework now prohibits individuals who receive philanthropic aid or sponsorship from publicly sharing details if political actors (party leaders or executive committee members) organized the activity.
These amendments may mark a significant step toward increased transparency and integrity in Moldova’s political landscape. However, the outcome will depend on whether electoral and judicial institutions can consistently and rigorously implement these provisions. At the same time, key international recommendations—such as regulating third-party financing—remain unaddressed and represent a crucial issue in Moldova’s evaluation by the European Commission.