On September 28, 2025, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova exercised their right to vote, demonstrating civic engagement, responsibility, and trust in democratic processes. This electoral exercise was not merely a formal procedure, but a clear mandate granted to members of Parliament to lead the country through a critical phase of development and institutional consolidation – especially in the context of European Union accession. The People’s Advocates commend the active participation of voters and the efforts of institutions that ensured the smooth conduct of the elections, extending congratulations to the new Parliament and best wishes for a successful term entrusted by the people.
In light of growing emphasis on security, regional tensions, disinformation, and foreign interference – efforts that are commendable and must continue – society expects from the new legislature and government political maturity, balance, and respect for human rights. Security and public order measures must be applied proportionally to avoid unjustified infringement on civil freedoms. A re-assessment and reset of democratic mechanisms is necessary to strengthen the functional and decision-making independence of state institutions, particularly in the relationships among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Greater emphasis must be placed not only on immediate results, but also on the quality of processes and mechanisms that underpin long-term democratic and responsible governance.
In this context, the People’s Advocates call for high-quality governance built on transparency, predictability, participation, and respect for human rights. They also urge loyal and balanced cooperation among the branches of government, grounded in mutual respect for institutional mandates and shared responsibility toward citizens.
Parliament – a model of ethics and good governance
As the central pillar of a functioning democracy – especially in a parliamentary republic like Moldova – the legislature must set an example for all state institutions, as the laws adopted by MPs have an impact on the whole population. Modern members of Parliament must uphold high standards of ethics and responsibility, respect pluralism, and actively promote the rule of law and good governance. Parliament must embody public accountability and institutional integrity through the conduct and decisions of its elected members. Four years is a significant period in a person’s life, and the actions taken during this time can either strengthen or weaken public trust in democracy.
Based on their experience, monitoring, and indirect involvement in governance over recent years, the People’s Advocates have identified 9 key directions that can help strengthen democracy, improve governance, and protect human rights.
These areas represent strategic priorities where Parliament and the Government can take action to ensure transparency, genuine participation, and adherence to the principles of the rule of law. This initiative aims to guide the future legislature’s actions toward more inclusive, coherent, and evidence-based public policies.
- Participatory, transparent, and predictable governance. The governance process must be open, participatory, and grounded in public trust. Decision-making transparency and the involvement of key stakeholders – experts, civil society organizations, and affected groups – enhance the quality and sustainability of decisions taken. It is essential to maintain a balance between the speed and the substance of decision-making, ensuring that urgency does not compromise the integrity of legislative acts. However, based on observations from the People’s Advocate Office, Promo-LEX, CPR, CRJM, and other civil society organizations, mechanisms for ensuring decision-making transparency have not always functioned effectively. The practice of making substantial changes to draft laws through rapid amendments must be revised. Amendments should serve to improve legislation, not to replace its original content. Therefore, the use of amendments that lack a direct and indispensable connection to the subject of the bill registered or passed in the first reading – especially when bypassing public consultation and expert review – must be discontinued. Adhering to legislation on transparency in decision-making and expanding the circle of consulted stakeholders will lead to greater accountability and predictability in governance.
- Rule of law and effective parliamentary oversight. Strengthening the rule of law requires a Parliament that acts as a guarantor of legality, separation of powers, and democratic oversight of the executive branch. Effective parliamentary oversight must go beyond formal hearings to include continuous monitoring of law implementation, objective evaluation of public policies, and corrective interventions when institutional shortcomings are identified. A clear delineation of powers is essential, along with adherence to the principle of “checks and balances”, ensuring that no authority exceeds its constitutional mandate. The work of parliamentary committees must become more transparent, data-driven, and results-oriented. Oversight and reporting mechanisms should be applied consistently across all public institutions, including those in the justice and security sectors.
- Systematic integration of the human rights-based approach in governance processes and public policies. The process of developing policies and legislation must consistently integrate a human rights-based approach, ensuring that the impact on individuals and vulnerable groups is assessed from the earliest stages of design. At present, many national strategies lack analysis of their effects on human rights and are not aligned with the National Human Rights Action Plan (PNADO), which has remained a marginalized instrument within the legislative framework for years. It is essential for Parliament and the Government to restore this connection, ensuring that every strategy, reform, or law is grounded in the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and participation. In a regional context increasingly dominated by concerns over security and the fight against disinformation, it is critical that human rights and democratic processes do not become secondary, but remain at the heart of sustainable and legitimate governance.
- Modern governance and digitalization. Good governance must rely on modern tools that enhance efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making (the more data, the better!). Digitalizing administrative processes, responsibly using artificial intelligence, and improving systems for the collection and analysis of data – including data sensitive to human rights – can significantly improve the quality of public services and the ability of institutions to respond promptly to citizens’ needs.
- Periodic evaluation of policies. Periodic evaluation of public policies is essential to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with evolving social realities. Impact assessments must be conducted not only during the drafting phase but also throughout implementation, to identify gaps and adjust the course of public action. Strategic policies and those applied at the local level, in particular, require continuous monitoring to prevent them from becoming mere formal documents. The absence of periodic evaluations leads to resource waste and a decline in public trust. Therefore, Parliament and the Government must establish clear mechanisms for analyzing and reporting the impact of policies on the population.
- Bridging the gap between law and practice. Although the Republic of Moldova has a complex legal framework – one that is, in many areas, aligned with European standards – its practical implementation remains uneven. A persistent gap exists between legal provisions and how they are applied at both institutional and local levels. A coherent approach is needed, including the allocation of adequate resources to translate legal norms into concrete processes, procedures, and actions. Strengthening monitoring mechanisms, providing continuous training for public officials, and ensuring consistent application of the law can help close this gap and transform legislation into an effective tool for protecting human rights and promoting good governance.
- Dialogue with the ATU Gagauzia and protection for Transnistrian residents. It is necessary to reset the dialogue between the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia by reactivating the parliamentary cooperation platform and relaunching the joint working group, which has been inactive in recent years. This platform should serve as a space for open discussions on the uniform application of national legislation, regional development, and respect for local autonomy within the limits of the Constitution. At the same time, for individuals residing on the left bank of the Dniester River, national mechanisms for protection and assistance must be strengthened to ensure that people in this area can effectively exercise their rights. Furthermore, constitutional authorities must continue efforts and actions to hold the so-called structures in Tiraspol accountable for respecting human rights in the region.
- Human rights education and awareness. Human rights education must become a strategic priority, as it is essential for strengthening a civic culture rooted in respect, responsibility, and democratic participation. Developing and reinforcing competencies for democratic culture – by the promotion of knowledge about fundamental rights and freedoms at all levels of education, as well as through ongoing training for public officials – helps prevent abuse, disinformation, and electoral corruption. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement a national strategy for human rights education that integrates this topic into both formal and non-formal education systems. This will ensure stronger protection of democracy and foster active engagement of citizens in public life.
- Strengthening autonomous institutions and resetting collaboration between the Parliament and the People’s Advocate Office. Strengthening the rule of law requires the effective functioning of autonomous institutions that ensure oversight, control, and balance among the branches of power in the state. Public trust in authorities is built not only on security structures, but also on the existence of equitable social justice and a responsible institutional system. It is essential to reinforce autonomous authorities entitled to monitor and evaluate the quality of public actions, inclusively, by allocating adequate resources and safeguarding their functional independence. At the same time, collaboration between Parliament and the People’s Advocate Office must be reset through open, responsible, and consistent dialogue – particularly within parliamentary commissions – to enhance human rights protection, good governance, and public confidence in state institutions.
The call of the People’s Advocates
At a time when the state needs institutional coherence and shared responsibility, the People’s Advocates emphasize the importance of ongoing dialogue among Parliament, Government, independent institutions, and civil society. Even when subjects are sensitive or uncomfortable, open dialogue and constructive criticism are essential for maintaining democratic balance and improving governance quality over time. The People’s Advocate Office must be a key partner in this dialogue. For example, in 2024 alone, it reviewed over 1,000 individual complaints, conducted 217 monitoring visits, issued 80 opinions on draft legislation, submitted 37 proposals for the regulatory framework improvement, produced 46 reports across 20 thematic areas, and held 235 training and awareness events with over 7,500 participants. Internationally, the institution is highly regarded, holding one of the highest statuses in Central and Eastern Europe, accredited by the United Nations with the top-level “A Status”.
Ceslav Panico, People’s Advocate: “Four years (the length of a parliamentary term) is a significant period in a person’s life, and a meaningful stage for democracy. We understand that without security and safety, there can be no effective human rights protection. Yet these objectives must be pursued in parallel, balancing security with democratic mechanisms. The People’s Advocate Office will continue to be an uncomfortable but necessary institution – an independent actor that demands greater accountability, responsibility, and consistency in decision-making. Even when our positions may seem unpleasant, they are the antidote to institutional drift, helping maintain balance and protect fundamental rights”.
Vasile Coroi, People’s Advocate for Child’s Rights: “EU integration presents an excellent opportunity to advance the child’s rights in the Republic of Moldova. Respect for human rights – especially for children and vulnerable groups – can improve community well-being and position us as a trustworthy partner for European institutions and democratic states. We are living in a historic moment, where the responsibility of those who make decisions that affect all citizens or certain categories of population will shape the society we and future generations will inhabit. The People’s Advocate Office will continue to support this process through monitoring and accountability”.
Civil society – an indispensable partner in good governance
Civil society is a vital pillar of democracy and an indispensable partner in governance and in the dialogue surrounding the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union. In recent years, civil society organizations and human rights defenders have faced significant challenges – including reduced funding, public pressure, and attacks on their credibility. In this context, Parliament and Government should identify sustainable domestic funding solutions and advocate, in discussions with development partners, for the continued and expanded financial support of the civic sector. At the same time, a stronger protection framework is needed for human rights defenders and independent organizations to prevent intimidation, harassment, or marginalization. Strengthening and expanding civil society, inclusively in rural areas, is essential for citizen engagement in decision-making processes, for monitoring public policies, and for enhancing the democratic resilience of the state.
Importance of media and freedom of expression
A free, pluralistic, and professional press is a cornerstone of democracy and a safeguard of institutional transparency. In the Republic of Moldova, it is essential to strengthen independent media that is transparent about its sources of funding and protected from political or economic influence. The government must establish sustainable support mechanisms for free media, including publicly administered funds with transparent oversight and tools to shield journalists from pressure, attacks, and smear campaigns. The respect for and promotion of the right to freedom of expression and access to information, including through the effective enforcement of legislation on access to public-interest information, is equally important. The media must be consistently involved in public life – not only during election periods, but throughout the entire parliamentary term – and journalists’ insights and findings on governance, transparency, or corruption should be considered part of a democratic system of accountability.
Next steps
The People’s Advocate Office will convene a joint meeting with civil society representatives to establish a cooperation and accountability plan for public authorities, grounded in transparency and good governance. In addition, the People’s Advocates will request a meeting with the leadership of Parliament and parliamentary factions, with the participation of civil society and independent institutions, to define principles for collaboration, monitoring, and mutual accountability.
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