The Government intends to restructure the Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance Agency. Until the process is over, the institution’s inspectors will be unable to carry out inspections, IPN reports.

Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița told a news conference that the Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance Agency is an inefficient and corrupt institution. The Agency was used as an instrument for extorting money from businesses.

The official noted that a number of actions were taken the past few months to clear the institution of corrupt persons. The necessary information was accumulated and transmitted to the Prosecutor’s Office. “The institution was managed by persons close to Plahotniuc (Vladimir Plahotniuc, former leader of the Democratic Party who is wanted, e.n.). Many inspectors formed part of a sports federation. Abuses were committed there,” stated the Premier.

Minister of Economy Sergiu Gaibu said that a disciplinary commission is assessing the violations committed by the institution’s administration. There are multiple complaints about the current director, but this cannot be dismissed because he is on child care leave.

The Ministry of Economy ordered a moratorium on the Agency’s inspections until the restructuring of the institution is completed.