Speaker about protests in Transnistrian region: Reintegration process irreversible

Protests in the Transnistrian region, organized amid dissatisfaction with Chișinău’s new fiscal measures, do not change the direction of the reintegration process, Speaker Igor Grosu says. According to him, the demonstrations should also be viewed in the context of political events in the Russian Federation. The statement was made before the Parliament’s plenary session.


“I sincerely link the series of protests in Transnistria to the context of the so-called elections in the Russian Federation, which begin tomorrow,” Igor Grosu said.


He also commented on the reaction of the so-called authorities in Tiraspol to the fiscal measures introduced by Chișinău. Grosu believes they are trying to demonstrate that they are active and that they are responding to the decisions of the constitutional authorities.


“They probably need to show a bit of bravado, to be active, to show that they are not indifferent, and so on,” the Parliament Speaker said.


The statements come after several protests organized in Bender, where participants spoke out against changing the tax regime for businesses in the Transnistrian region. The demonstrations took place over several consecutive days.

Starting September 1, 2026, VAT and excise duties will apply to a range of products brought in from the Transnistrian region. The first stage covers, among other things, tobacco, alcohol, caviar, furs, and precious metals.

The measures will be gradually expanded. Starting January 1, 2027, petroleum products, base metals, ores, and other categories of goods will be included. From April 1, 2027, the list will also include natural gas and electricity, with the exceptions established by the authorities.

Despite the protests, Igor Grosu says that the measures adopted by Chișinău do not affect the direction of the reintegration process.


“Otherwise, the reintegration process is moving forward, it is irreversible, and the decisions were correct,” the official said.


The gradual application of VAT and excise duties is part of the policy to harmonize the tax regime for businesses on both banks of the Dniester. The authorities in Chișinău say the measures are aimed at eliminating certain tax exemptions and bringing the region closer to the economic and legal framework of the Republic of Moldova.