The PAS group voted down a censure motion against Finance Minister Dumitru Budianschi tabled by the Communists&Socialists.

Budianschi’s critics have blamed him for record high prices and a nearly 30% inflation rate. “Moldova’s population becomes poorer and poorer at a staggering rate, and the Ministry led by Dumitru Budianschi hasn’t taken any measure to overcome the crisis”, claim the Communist&Socialist MPs.

Speaking before Parliament, Budianschi admitted the surging consumer prices, but dismissed the notion that the government is to blame for it as “speculation” by the opposition.

MP Dumitru Alaiba (PAS), chair of the economy committee, defended the minister, suggesting little can be done when global prices go up and a war rages in the neighborhood.