Budgetary authorities and institutions, public institutions under self-management, municipal enterprises managed by the Chisinau Municipal Council and joint stock companies in which the CMC holds a share of more than 50% will cut current costs for operating activities by at least 10% starting with January 1, 2024. The decision was taken by the Commission for Emergency Situations (CES) of the municipality of Chisinau, IPN reports.

According to mayor general Ion Ceban, the cause for such decision is the central authorities’ refusal to return to the inhabitants of Chisinau municipality what is rightfully theirs. Chisinau contributes 23 billion lei to the national public budget and only 13% or 2.8 billion lei goes to Chisinau in the form of taxes and charges. Over the last few years, the financial burden on the municipal budget exceeded 1.3 billion lei. The money also accumulated due to the absence of financial support for coping with the refugee crisis, non-reimbursement of COVID-19 management expenses, non-compensation of expenses incurred as a result of the increase in energy charges and others.

The mayor said that the Government cut everything that is directly related to the social package, including for Chisinau. Together with the reform of the “Restart” social assistance system, the minimum package of social services, including for the municipality, was abrogated starting with 2024. These are the social monetary support service for disadvantaged families, the social support service for families with children and the personal assistance social service.

According to the same CES decision, the General Division of Education, Youth and Sports of the CMC will streamline the expenses related to the running of classes and groups with prolonged regime and other complementary services paid from the local budget.