Elena Dragalin, head of Moldova AID and mother of former Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Veronica Dragalin, has given a candid interview in which she suggested that the current authorities have squandered much of the diaspora’s trust.
Those who supported the ruling PAS party only recently are now increasingly expressing disappointment.
For a long time, Elena Dragalin was seen as part of the broader system. She did not publicly criticise the authorities while her daughter remained in office. However, after Veronica Dragalin left her post as head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, her tone changed noticeably.
Elena Dragalin diaspora criticism grows
“If we look at the diaspora as a whole, there is still disappointment and dissatisfaction with how things are going at home. This is especially true for people who have invested here, they are facing far more problems than they expected,” she said.
According to her, Moldovans who had planned to invest in the country are now either abandoning those plans or deciding not to begin at all. She added that members of the diaspora in the United States who once intended to return within two or three years are now choosing to stay abroad.
The reality they encountered, she suggested, has undermined both trust and willingness to invest. People have become more cautious. They are facing significantly more difficulties than expected, including bureaucratic obstacles and corruption-related challenges unfamiliar to them in Western countries.
Context and criticism of past roles
At the same time, critics note that both Elena Dragalin and her daughter were previously part of the same system they are now criticising. During that period, neither voiced strong objections.
Veronica Dragalin led the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office for several years and became a prominent figure in Moldova’s justice sector. Her tenure was also marked by controversy.
Media reports at the time described tense interactions within her office on Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard. Witnesses alleged that she spoke harshly to colleagues and suspects. Some accounts claimed that during internal meetings she raised her voice at lawyers and business figures, and instructed law enforcement to conduct early-morning searches designed to maximise pressure.
An audio recording from June 7, 2023, reportedly captures her addressing subordinates:
“I don’t have the patience. I will personally enter someone’s home with masked teams at 6 a.m., in front of your children, your wives, your husbands, so that you are arrested, handcuffed and sent to prison. I cannot wait for this to happen. I will be there myself.”
The recording was reportedly provided to journalists by individuals within the institution.
After leaving office
After stepping down, Veronica Dragalin moved to the United States. She is currently working at an international law firm in Washington, according to her mother.
The development highlights a shift for a family that had held a prominent position within Moldova’s anti-corruption framework and now resides abroad.
Wider implications
Elena Dragalin’s remarks go beyond personal grievances, touching on broader concerns about governance and economic conditions.
She argues that the current environment discourages investment and complicates efforts to bring members of the diaspora back to Moldova. According to her, those who leave official positions may be more willing to speak openly about the problems they encountered.
The criticism reflects a wider debate about the country’s direction. Concerns about the investment climate, institutional effectiveness and public trust continue to shape both domestic and diaspora perspectives.
