Politics of Moldova

The opposition Pro Moldova parliamentary group appealed to the Constitutional Court on Thursday over the legality of a 200-million-euro loan from Russia, urging the judges to give a verdict urgently, as parliament was about to ratify the agreement.

Russia has refused to increase export quotas for Moldovan goods for 2019, setting a quota of 15,000 export permits for Moldovan producers - 3,000 less than in 2018.

The Moldovan Economy and Infrastructure Ministry on Wednesday said Russia wanted Moldova first to increase the number of permits for Russian transport operators.

Russia is increasing its engagement in Transnistria in response to Moldova's pro-Western tilt, experts say.

Into the Unknown

Moldova watchers and regional analysts alike are keenly trying to make sense of the new ruling coalition that has taken power in Chisinau. Made up of pro-European reformists and pro-Russian parties, the new government is seen as an unholy alliance and somewhat of a dark horse.

A London judge has ordered the forfeiture of three frozen bank accounts belonging to the 22-year-old son of Moldova's former prime minister, Vlad Filat, who was jailed for corruption in 2016.

The Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is an unique opportunity to intensify the EU - the Republic of Moldova relationship, starting with boosting the political dialogue and supporting the reform process up to speeding up the implementation of energy interconnection projects and infrastructure projects by building bridges and highways, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for In

Moldova's pro-Russian President, Igor Dodon, has called on all members of the huge Moldovan diaspora in Russia to vote in the next Moldovan elections on February 24, 2019, whether or not they have issues with their Russian work and residence permits.

He has promised that Moscow will turn a blind eye to such problems if they come home to vote.

A Moldovan diplomatic mission will arrive in Moscow on Thursday for the first inter-ministerial talks since April 2017, when Moldova froze ties with Russia after accusing Russia of trying to kill the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party's leader, Vlad Plahotniuc.

Moldova also claimed that its officials were harassed by the Russian authorities every time they visited the country.

Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip confirmed on Wednesday night that he received two water cannon trucks used to disperse protesters during demonstrations as a "gift" from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his visit to Moldova last week.

Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip on Thursday said that compulsory military service will be gradually abolished by 2021, as Moldova makes the switch to a purely professional army.