Moldova’s ruling PAS party has approved new parliamentary rules that abolish the mandatory translation of draft laws into Russian, a move that has drawn criticism from opposition figures and raised concerns over inclusivity, according to Logos Press.
Under the new regulation, draft laws will be published only in Romanian, with translations into Russian no longer guaranteed before adoption.
Moldova Russian language law change raises inclusivity concerns
Authorities have justified the decision by citing limited capacity, arguing that translators are unable to keep up with the legislative workload. Translations may still be provided, but only after laws have been adopted.
Opposition representatives argue that the change is political in nature and risks marginalising Russian-speaking citizens.
Former MP Marina Tauber described the move as a blow to fundamental rights:
“PAS has decided to stop translating draft laws into Russian. The official explanation is a lack of time for translators. But this is not just about optimisation. Basic rights of citizens who speak and think in Russian as well as the MPs who represent them are being affected. This sends a clear political signal to regions where Russian is widely spoken, such as Gagauzia, Taraclia, Bălți and Transnistria, that their participation no longer matters.”
Debate over equality and access to legislation
Critics say the decision could limit access to legal information and create unequal conditions for MPs who are not sufficiently fluent in Romanian.
They also argue that the measure contradicts the government’s stated commitment to inclusivity and European values, particularly in a multilingual society.
Supporters of the reform, however, present it as a technical adjustment aimed at improving efficiency in the legislative process.
Questions over broader implications
The longer-term impact of the change remains unclear. It may affect both the pace of lawmaking and the level of public engagement in legislative debates.
For many observers, the issue goes beyond administrative reform, touching on broader questions about language policy, political representation and access to information in Moldova.
