As Moldova’s 11th Legislature nears its end, lawmakers express sharply opposing views about the Parliament’s performance. While the governing majority highlights major reforms and increased social support, the opposition criticizes a lack of transparency, legislative roadblocks, and the absence of genuine dialogue between factions.
Speaking to IPN, Doina Gherman, head of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) parliamentary faction, stated that in recent years, Parliament played a key role in managing major crises. She noted that the 11th Legislature advanced crucial reforms tied to EU integration, channeled substantial foreign funds into social infrastructure, and made significant progress on women’s rights.
”Moldova has opened EU accession talks, and the value of European support we’ve secured is four times higher than in previous periods. At the same time, we’ve increased investment in education, health care, and social protection. Parliament has been the engine driving these changes,” said Gherman, who also serves as deputy speaker.
She also highlighted initiatives promoting gender equality, combating violence against women, and encouraging women’s participation in politics and the economy, calling this Legislature the most progressive yet on gender issues.
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Grigore Novac, deputy leader of the Communist and Socialist Bloc and a three-term MP, called the current Legislature one of the least competent in terms of professional performance. Novac regretted that the majority ignored or blocked the opposition’s work. He noted that his faction submitted around 200 legislative proposals, but Parliament adopted fewer than 10% of them.
He claimed the opposition has witnessed a pattern where its proposals were either left without government feedback for long periods, merged with others, or adopted without acknowledgment by the ruling majority. ”The majority blocks the opposition entirely from participating meaningfully in the legislative process,” Novac told IPN.
Independent MP Denis Ulanov, previously affiliated with the now-unconstitutional Shor Party, offered a scathing view of Parliament’s conduct. He accused the majority of lacking transparency, suppressing genuine debates, and marginalizing the opposition. He argued that many reforms were passed under ”emergency procedures” without public consultation or independent review.
”The ruling party subordinated key institutions through tailor-made laws and turned Parliament into a rubber-stamping body. Real parliamentary democracy requires a balance between power and opposition, constructive cooperation, a competition of ideas, and fair debate on legislation. That is the essence of Parliament—where all voices deserve to speak and contribute, not just one’s own,” Ulanov told IPN.
Voters elected the 11th Legislature during the snap parliamentary elections on July 11, 2021. The Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) secured 63 seats, the Communist and Socialist Bloc gained 32 seats, and the Shor Party obtained six seats. The deputies became unaffiliated or independent after the Constitutional Court banned the Shor Party in 2023.