Moldovan MP says accepting all amendments to 2026 budget would have tripled budget deficit

A total of 81 amendments have been proposed for adoption in the second reading of the 2026 state budget draft. The head of the commission for economy, budget and finance, Radu Marian, made statements to this effect. He specified that accepting all the amendments would have tripled the budget deficit.

According to the cited source, the parliament adopted the 2026 state budget with more amendments, 17 of which were accepted - six proposed by the opposition and 11 by the ruling Action and Solidarity Party’s (PAS) faction. All approved amendments were budget-neutral and did not endanger the country's financial stability.

According to Marian, accepting all submitted amendments would have tripled the budget deficit and significantly increased public debt, which would have reached almost 63% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"We were fiscally responsible. In a hypothetical scenario, accepting all amendments would have meant a much larger deficit and a dangerous increase in public debt," said Radu Marian.

Additionally, the head of the economy commission dismissed the opposition's accusations of political allocation of funds for local development projects. He said that, within the European Village II and Europe - Local Roads programmes, over 66 per cent of the 943 funded projects had been awarded to municipalities not run by ruling party’s representatives.

According to the cited source, among the most important accepted amendments, there is the allocation of 200 million lei for the feasibility study on the construction of the National Football Stadium - National Arena.

"The project is considered a first step towards creating modern sports infrastructure aligned with international standards."

At the same time, the parliament approved funding for the feasibility study for the creation of the Universe Center for Contemporary Culture and Arts, valued at six million lei.

Another amendment supported includes the allocation of five million lei for the restoration and capital repair of the Triumph Arch from Chisinau.

Besides the budget, the lawmakers voted on a package of fiscal measures meant to support the business environment. They include extending the zero-tax rate on reinvested income not distributed as dividends for one more year. Additionally, the income ceiling for the simplified tax regime was increased from 1.2 million to 1.5 million lei and expenses for children's education will be tax-deductible.

Another important draft concerns the repatriation of the assets of Moldovan citizens residing abroad. The adopted law provides exemptions from import duties for citizens returning to live in Moldova. The eligibility criteria for car imports were expanded: the maximum age was increased from nine to ten years, the allowed value from 400,000 to 550,000 lei, and the engine capacity from 2,500 to 3,000 cubic centimeters. The law will be applicable for one year.

According to Radu Marian, these decisions show a balanced approach that combines fiscal discipline with strategic investments and support measures for the economy, culture and citizens.