Dodon 'under fire' as protest and corruption scandal collide
On Thursday, 21 August, several leaders and supporters of Moldova’s Party of Socialists (PSRM) staged a protest in front of the government headquarters in Chișinău.
Protesters criticised the current government’s economic policies and have demanded the resignation of the Cabinet. The party’s leader, Igor Dodon, said the "standard of living" was the main concern for citizens and accused the Cabinet of Ministers of "professional incompetence." Government officials, in turn, have highlighted the electoral nature of the socialists' protest.
"I cannot recall a government as incompetent and ineffectual in more than 30 years of Moldova’s independence. They have no idea what they're doing," said Igor Dodon.
The former head of state accused the authorities of using the war in Ukraine to justify Moldova's economic difficulties, adding that prices and tariffs in Moldova are higher than in Ukraine and Romania. "The economic situation is always very bad. Economic growth is zero, cumulative for four years. Yes, they can blame the war in Ukraine. But in Ukraine, prices are lower than in Moldova."
A government spokesperson, Daniel Vodă, has mocked Mr Dodon's address to the protesters.
"I learned from the press that, at this morning’s electoral protest in front of the government, Mr Dodon failed to explain what was in the black bag, but he did throw accusations left and right - at both the press and the government," Mr Vodă said. "His political partners could not even agree on the amount in the bag. The sum was either '860,000 euros' or 'we'll clarify at 11:00'. That's not a lie, that's their actual statement. Lies and scandals are no substitute for arguments. People are smarter than they think and cannot be fooled with a bag and empty words. We stand united and are moving in the right direction."
'Black bag' case: Voronin claims €860,000 was offered
Vladimir Voronin, leader of the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), has made new claims about a controversial "black bag" which he says the former Democratic Party leader, Vladimir Plahotniuc, allegedly gave to Mr Dodon in 2019. According to Mr Voronin, the bag contained 860,000 euros, not 500,000 as previously rumoured. The statements were made on 20 August during the show "Новая неделя" on TV8.
When asked what amount was in the bag, Mr Voronin said: "860,000 euros. Plahotniuc personally told me that."
The PCRM leader also stated that Mr Plahotniuc was allegedly frustrated that the socialists received less money than he had offered.
"Yes. Plahotniuc was furious about who took the other 140,000. - Where was he furious? I didn't see any message... - Among his people. (...) Was he furious among his people that the socialists received less money? He even said: 'I know for sure I put a million in there.'"
Mr Voronin also stated that he has already provided this information to anti-corruption prosecutors.
Mr Dodon has neither confirmed nor denied the statements made by the PCRM leader but said he would have discussions on the matter within the Patriotic Electoral Bloc of Socialists, Communists, Heart, and Future of Moldova.
"This was a government-led provocation on a pro-government TV channel, intended to create discord within our bloc. Our position is clear: we will have a discussion within the bloc to clarify the matter," Mr Dodon told the press.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has not yet confirmed whether Mr Voronin has provided a statement to state prosecutors regarding the alleged amount in the black bag that Mr Plahotniuc gave to Mr Dodon.
The 'kuliok' case at the Supreme Court of Justice
In June 2019, video footage was published showing the then-Moldovan President Igor Dodon receiving a bag from Vladimir Plahotniuc and his adviser, Serghei Iaralov. In May 2022, a criminal case was opened against Mr Dodon based on the video, known as the 'kuliok' case - 'kuliok' being the Russian word for a bag, which has become a symbol of corruption in Moldova.
Shortly thereafter, on 24 May 2022, prosecutors conducted searches at Mr Dodon's home. The former head of state was accused of passive corruption, illicit enrichment, treason, and financing a political party by a criminal organisation.
After approximately 12 hours of searches, Mr Dodon was detained for 72 hours and placed in the CNA isolation ward. Although prosecutors requested his pretrial arrest, on 26 May 2022, the court decided to place him under house arrest, a measure that lasted until 20 November 2022. Subsequently, he was released under judicial control, and in September 2023, the ban on leaving the country was also lifted.
Petru Merineanu, Mr Dodon's brother-in-law, was also arrested in the same case in May 2022 but was later released from detention.
In February 2025, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office announced it had completed its presentation of evidence in the case. Mr Dodon is accused of 'soliciting and accepting' a sum of between $600,000 and $1,000,000 from the leaders of a criminal organisation, with the aim of promoting their interests and giving them control over Moldova's political, social and economic processes.
According to prosecutors, the money was intended to finance the current expenses of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), including paying employee salaries.
The 'kuliok' case is currently before the Supreme Court of Justice. The last scheduled hearings on 27 and 30 June were postponed, according to data from the SCJ portal.
Mr Dodon does not admit guilt. The politician believes that the criminal case was fabricated.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
