Dorin Recean: This autumn’s elections will see renewed attempts at massive vote-buying
"We have seen how corruption in elections can undermine the sovereignty of a state. Millions of dollars were allocated by the Russian Federation, through the Shor criminal group, to manipulate democratic elections," Prime Minister Dorin Recean stated in an emergency address regarding justice. The Prime Minister emphasized that during the parliamentary elections in the fall, there will likely be further attempts at massive vote buying, and it is the responsibility of state institutions to combat this serious issue."
The address was delivered during a recent discussion with representatives from anti-corruption and organized crime authorities.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean noted that over 6,000 citizens were sanctioned for electoral corruption related to last fall's elections. In all, more than 140,000 citizens are currently involved in criminal cases, reads a statement from the Ministry of Justice.
"We are facing a choice: either we let this historic moment pass us by—out of fear, laziness, cynicism, or fatigue—or we act together: state institutions, police officers, judges, and prosecutors, to achieve membership in the European Union, bringing with it prosperity, peace, and justice," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Recean also pointed out that the fight against corruption is not solely the responsibility of the National Anti-Corruption Center (NAC), the Prosecutor's Office, or other institutions. "It is a collective responsibility of all state institutions and a national vulnerability that harms society and even national security," he stated.
He recalled that "we recently stood on the brink of a moral and institutional catastrophe," referring to the "legislative manipulations surrounding the amnesty law."
"We saw how a few amendments—because the issue lies not with the law itself but with the amendments introduced later—could lead to the release of dangerous criminals in mass numbers," the Prime Minister added.
According to Recean, another crucial factor is the abuse within the judicial system and the National Penitentiary Administration. "The wrongful application of the law in favor of criminals was made possible through skillfully introduced amendments, under an ostensibly legal framework, and with silent complicity," he noted.
Parliamentary elections could be organized on September 28. A draft resolution to this effect was submitted to Parliament on Wednesday by deputies from the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS). According to the Electoral Code and the Constitution, parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova must be held no later than the first half of October 2025.
