The article forms part of IPN’s information campaign that presents biographical data, information about the incomes and property and professional experience of candidates for mayor general of the municipality of Chisinau.

Arina Spătaru is contending for the post of mayor general of the municipality of Chisinau on behalf of the Political Party “Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe” (ALDE) which she has headed since August 2023.

She was born on October 10, 1978 in Balti. She is married and has three children. In 1993, she graduated from the Balti Theoretical Lyceum “Mihai Eminescu”, while in 1998 she graduated from the Light Industry College of Balti, the garments modeling and design specialty. She obtained a Bachelor of Economy from the Nistrean Institute of Economy and Law, in the accounting and audit specialty. In 2018, she studied for a Master of Economy in the industrial technology specialty at the Faculty of Exact, Economic and Environmental Sciences of the Balti State University “Alecu Russo”.

In 2004-2011, she worked as an entrepreneur based on patent, while in 2011-2019 – as the director of SRL “ARINA-S” with activities in garments production and design. In 2015, she joined the Political Party “Dignity and Truth Platform” and was named head of the party’s Balti Local Organization. In 2018, she competed for the post of mayor of the municipality of Balti and obtained 2,231 votes or over 6% of the ballot.

She also ran in the parliamentary elections of February 2019, in the single-member constituency, but failed to enter Parliament. She yet entered the legislative body on the lists of the ACUM Bloc consisting of the Party of Action and Solidarity and the Party “Dignity and Truth Platform”. In September 2021, the former MP left the Party “Dignity and Truth Platform”. In 2021-2023, she worked as an activist and was a public figure in the municipality of Balti. This year, Arina Spătaru returned to politics as the leader of the ALDE. She recently informed that she played the role of an agent under cover with the task of thwarting fugitive politician Ilan Shor’s plan to corrupt other parties.

For January 1 – December 31, 2023, she declared 22,500 lei salaries as commercial director from SRL “Arina-S” and 40,000 lei incomes in space rental. She possesses a number of lots she acquired in 2003-2021. She didn’t indicate their value in her property and interests statement. In 2005, she purchased a garage of almost 70 square meters for about 124,000 lei.

In 2005, she also bought a house of over 196 square meters for over 580,000 lei. In 2004, by a donation contract she obtained a commercial space of 195 square meters to the value of over 563,000 lei. Also by donation, in 2021 she acquired a house of over 200 square meters worth almost 346,000 lei. The candidate also owns two cars. A car made in 2014 was purchased in 2021 for €19,000, while the second car made in 2012 was bought in 2022 for €6,000.

Among her parties are stopping abusive constructions in green areas by introducing the parks in the real estate register, decongesting the city, reducing the water, sewerage and cleanup charges  and transport fares, assessing the city’s heritage, etc.

As it was decided by draw, Arina Spătaru of the Political Party “Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe” will be the 25th on the ballot slate.