The Chisinau councilors will receive allowances of 2,000 lei for every meeting attended, i.e. ten times more than until now. The decision was taken by 32 votes in favor in the April 2 meeting of the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC).

Contacted by IPN, CMC secretary Valeriu Didencuc said the legislation says the councilors should receive an allowance of at least two minimum salaries for every meeting. The minimum salary is about 800 lei. As a result of this decision, the municipality will spend by 110,000 lei for every meeting. Amendments should be made to the budget so as to identify the necessary resources.

Valeriu Didencuc believes that this decision is not equitable because there are City Hall employees with salaries of 2,000 lei a month, while the councilors will receive by 6,000 lei if the Council holds several meetings. Under the legislation, at least three ordinary meetings must take place a month.

The CMC includes 51 councilors. Until present the councilors received by 200 lei for every meeting.