The Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC) was convoked for April 28 on the initiative of one third of councilors. The councilors are to submit proposals for supporting the medical and business sectors in times of a pandemic, Vasile Grădinaru, head of the Action and Solidarity Party’s group on the CMC, was quoted by IPN as saying in a press briefing.

Vasile Grădinaru said the supporting of the business entities that stopped work by force should be an obligation of the public authorities. The Chisinau City Hall does not manage sufficiently well the situation as regards financial planning. There should be applied both fiscal facilitation and direct support instruments. More exactly, the local taxes for 2020 should be reduced or suspended fully.

Aliona Mandatyi, deputy head of the group of the Party “Dignity and Truth Platform” on the CMC, said she will propose a bill to redistribute the financial resources for supporting the frontline medical personnel involved in the fight against COVID-19. The group will also suggest a bill to support patent holders.

Liberal councilor Veronica Herța said the first draft decision that is to be approved refers to the amendment of the municipal budget. The councilors who asked for a meeting of the CMC identified 84 million lei that can be directed to the health system. The money can be collected by reducing allocations for transport, for sanitation and other costs.

According to Corneliu Pântea, councilor of the National Unity Party, a number of road and block yard repair projects were to be implemented in 2020 with municipal budget funds, but the COVID-19 pandemic thwarted these plans. A part of the funds can be redirected. “The doctors and all the other healthcare workers should feel the solidarity of the whole country,” he stated.