Minister outlines change in social assistance
Moldova will not provide its traditional Easter financial assistance to vulnerable citizens this year, Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru said.
Instead, the government plans to prioritise targeted support for children considered to be in vulnerable situations. Around 9 million lei has been allocated for this purpose, although the exact categories of beneficiaries are still being determined.
“At the moment, we are not discussing separate payments. What we are planning is to provide support primarily to vulnerable children. We have a budget of 9 million lei,” Plugaru said, adding that the assistance is not necessarily linked to the Easter holiday.
Policy shift amid broader budget priorities
The decision comes as authorities continue to adjust social spending priorities. Officials say the focus is on directing limited resources toward targeted programmes rather than broad, one-off payments.
The government has previously emphasized other forms of support, including seasonal compensation schemes, although details on current or upcoming measures remain limited.
Concerns over coverage and impact
Some observers have raised concerns about the absence of Easter assistance for wider groups of low-income citizens, noting that such payments have traditionally supported vulnerable households during the holiday period.
Questions have also been raised about how eligible families will be identified and whether the new approach will sufficiently address broader social needs.
Ongoing debate over social policy
The announcement has added to a wider discussion about social protection policies in Moldova, including how resources are allocated between different programmes and groups.
Authorities have not ruled out further adjustments, but no additional measures for other vulnerable categories have been announced so far.
