Individuals applying for Moldovan citizenship to be obliged to know the Romanian language, Constitution

The parliament is set to adopt a new citizenship law, in order to address gaps in current legislation and ensure a fair, transparent and secure framework for getting the citizenship. The draft was examined at a joint meeting of the juridical commission for appointments and immunities and the commission for national security, defence and public order.

According to the legislative initiative developed by a group of MPs of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), the Moldovan citizenship can be acquired through the following means: birth, recognition, adoption, guardianship and curatorship, reacquisition and naturalization. The new law unifies and clarifies the procedures, ensuring equal treatment for all applicants and removing possible discrimination based on the category of people.

Romanian language test and anti-fraud provisions

Among the essential novelties of the draft, there are the compulsoriness to know the Romanian language and the provisions of Moldova’s Constitution for citizenship applicants. The draft also introduces rigorous measures for verifying documents and applicants’ eligibility, in order to combat fraud attempts and protect national security.

In recent years, authorities have thwarted about 100 fraudulent attempts to get citizenship through the use of false or uncertain documents. The new regulations will require the verification of travel history, financial background, integrity and other relevant information, in order to accurately establish the applicant's eligibility.

Prohibitions and clear delimitations of the process

The draft law establishes clear distinctions between the rejection of an application (for technical reasons) and the refusal of citizenship (for not meeting legal criteria). Additionally, it proposes prohibiting filing applications through intermediaries or proxies - applications can only be submitted in person.

At the same time, conditions for naturalization are clarified, including the calculation of the period of legal stay in Moldova, eliminating ambiguous interpretations from current legislation.

 





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Motivation for law’s revision

The authors of the initiative say that the reform is necessary, in the context of several complex processes: population’s massive migration, the phenomenon of multiple citizenships, the need to protect the rights of the Diaspora citizens, security challenges and commitments to legislative harmonization in the European integration process.

The new citizenship law is to be discussed and voted in parliament’s plenum.