Romanian Only: Moldovan Authorities Reopen Language Front Ahead of Elections
The Moldovan Parliament plans to completely eliminate Russian from its working process: the draft new regulations, adopted in the first reading, leave Romanian as the sole language of discussion.
The speaker will be able to mute the microphone for using a different language. Furthermore, translations of bills into Russian will cease. Experts comment on why this drastic restriction of the rights of Russian-speaking deputies is necessary, and what consequences this will have for a multi-ethnic society.
Alexander Korinenko, political scientist:
History teaches us that when the government attacks language rather than poverty, the country is doomed to fragmentation. The PAS initiative is a political and ideological signal that is dangerous for a multi-ethnic country like the Republic of Moldova.
The government is trying to portray this as a shift toward European standards, but international experience tells a different story. In Belgium, members of parliament speak in French, Dutch, and German. In Finland, in Finnish and Swedish. In Canada, in English and French. In Switzerland, in several official languages. Even the European Parliament translates debates into dozens of languages, because democracy is about representing citizens.
A parliamentarian's speech in the language of their constituents is an exercise of their right to representation. By turning off the microphone, the state restricts not only the politician but also the voices of thousands of citizens. These measures contradict the Charter for Regional Languages and the Council of Europe's principles for the protection of national minorities. Yes, the state has the right to promote the official language. But it's one thing to encourage its study, and quite another to impose punitive measures in parliament.
This is especially cynical in a country where hundreds of thousands of people use Russian in everyday life, business, media, and education . Instead of seeking a formula for social consensus, the government is once again deliberately opening up the language front ahead of the elections.
Such initiatives don't strengthen the state language, but rather turn it into an instrument of political pressure. Language that begins to be associated with punishment and prohibition inevitably becomes a source of irritation.
Today, microphones are turned off for speaking Russian. Tomorrow, they'll start defining "bad" citizens based on their cultural background. This is a very dangerous path for any democracy.
Igor Tulyantsev, Chairman of the Public Council "For the Motherland!"
In the 21st century, when technology erases borders, language is no longer a barrier. Language is simply a tool for conveying thoughts. After all, what you say is far more important than the language you speak. Our authorities still think in terms of the distant past.
With such approaches, Moldova risks remaining a backward country governed by deeply insecure individuals. Society values economic development, addressing demographic issues, accessing quality healthcare, and education, but instead, everything boils down to language again. I would like to appeal to you: dear members of parliament, stop wasting your time. Get to work.
Andrey Safonov, political scientist:
The sole working language of the Moldovan parliament is becoming... Romanian. That's how they renamed the Moldovan language. Bills will no longer be translated from Romanian into Russian (as has always been the case). They say there aren't enough translators.
They lied, as usual. From 1990 to 2026, there were enough translators—both for translating the enormous mass of documents and for simultaneous interpretation at meetings in the hall. I can attest to this as a member of parliament from 1990 to 1992.
The goal is to oust from parliament all Russian-speaking MPs and Russian-speaking Moldovans who advocate for national equality and oppose unification with Romania. On the surface, this is a blunt show of force, undertaken at a time of heightened tensions between Chisinau and the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic (PMR) and Gagauzia. The message is, "We have enough power for everyone; we can crush everyone."
It's surprising that they're seriously talking about the "reintegration" of Transnistria. Who would want to live in the same state with you Nazis if you oppress your own parliamentarians? Who would be drawn to your language reservation?
And again the old wisdom comes to mind: whomever the Lord wants to punish, he takes away his mind!
Romanian Only: Moldovan Authorities Reopen Language Front Ahead of Elections