Parliament gave a first reading to the bill to institute a new moratorium on citizenship by investment until January 1, 2021, IPN reports.

Iuliana Drăgălin, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, stated in Parliament that the new moratorium will enable to examine this subject from all aspects and to take a final decision concerning the citizenship by investment program. In the answers and responses session, a representative of the Ministry informed that only one application for obtaining citizenship by investment was filed in the period between February 20, when the previous moratorium expired, and until February 28. This was submitted by an Irish citizen who works in the IT sector.

In his speech, PAS MP Dumitru Alaiba warned about the risks of such a program in Moldova. “We enjoy a great tangible benefit that was provided by the European Union to our people. This is the visa-free travel in the EU. This is a benefit for everyone, regardless of incomes and status, and this benefit is in danger. Not only one signal was issued. Last week, there was one of the most recent signals that the provision of citizenship by investment endangers this benefit. We should not deny the problem and should have a very serious attitude to this aspect,” he stated.

PPPDA MP Alexandru Slusari said the law on citizenship by investment was discussed in a non-transparent way and a Democratic MP drafted an amendment that allows for the classification of the data concerning applicants. “What do we need this law for? If the investment climate in the country is appropriate, if the legal system works, if there is no coordinator who would pull strings, why shouldn’t someone come openly and start a business, without this being secret?” asked the MP.

The bill to institute a new moratorium on citizenship by investment was adopted in the first reading by a majority of votes. The law takes effect when it is published in the Official Gazette.