Parliamentary opposition submits simple motion against Ministry of Defence policies

The parliamentary opposition today submitted to Parliament a simple motion against the policies of the Ministry of Defence, invoking serious deficiencies in the management of the institution, including in relation to the security of servicemen and the administration of public assets. The document was signed by 42 MPs.

The initiative was presented by MP Ion Chicu, who said that the situation in the National Army is “alarming” and requires urgent intervention by Parliament.

“Undersigned, Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with the provisions of Article 105 of the Constitution, submit this simple motion on the policies of the Ministry of Defence in the field of national defence and ensuring the security and physical integrity of the servicemen of the National Army,” Chicu declared.

The MP stressed that the National Army is an essential pillar of the state, but the current situation indicates serious problems at the leadership level.

“The National Army is an indispensable element of the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova. This principle must be at the basis of all state policies. Nevertheless, the current state of affairs, marked by multiple cases of deaths among servicemen, problems of discipline and integrity, indicates major deficiencies at the level of leadership,” he stated.

The authors of the motion cited, among other issues, the number of deaths recorded among servicemen in recent years.

“The year 2026 has already begun with two tragic cases. Practically, we have one death every quarter, an unacceptable frequency for a military institution,” the MP said.

He raised questions regarding the conditions in the army and the institution’s capacity to cope with possible crisis situations. “Citizens, including the parents of servicemen, are expecting a clear answer: why do such tragedies occur in the army, where servicemen are under constant supervision?” Chicu asked.

The opposition also accuses the Ministry of Defence of failing to react adequately to these incidents. In his speech, Chicu also referred to cases of mistreatment and non-regulatory relations in the army, citing data from the Ombudsman’s report. Another set of accusations concerns the management of public assets and funds in the military system.

“There are multiple examples of flawed public procurement, of decommissioning functional military equipment and transferring it as scrap metal. All these materials will be provided to the competent authorities,” Chicu stated.

In this context, the signatories of the motion requested that the Minister of Defence be heard in the plenary of Parliament, the presentation of information regarding measures to ensure the security of servicemen, as well as an audit of the management of military assets. According to the legislation, the text of a simple motion must be submitted to the President of Parliament and, within 14 days, must be debated in the Legislature. The simple motion is brought forward for debate accompanied by the opinion of the relevant standing committee. The opinion must be issued within up to seven working days from the date the motion is submitted.