Moldova presented as a joint-stock company at business event
Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has come under a wave of criticism after attending the event Republica Moldova S.A. – The Board Meeting, moderated by Ion Curmei, where the country was presented as a company and the government as its board of directors.
The MBC business club suggested looking at Moldova as a joint-stock company, entrepreneurs as members of the board, and the prime minister, who had only just returned from Ukraine, as its chief executive officer. The stage displayed the words: “CEO Vasile Tofan. Republica Moldova S.A.” The organisers appear to have intended this as a metaphor for discussing priorities and resources, but the public reaction was very different.
Former Prime Minister Ion Chicu was among the first to respond sharply. He called the scene inappropriate and stressed that the country is not a joint-stock company.
“Well then… Mr Vasile Tofan, this country is not an S.A., as it is for you. Come down from the heavens to earth, sir. And yes, I am still waiting impatiently for an answer to the question: how did you change the legislation in 2024 so that MAIB shares could reach Recean as part of an ‘incentive programme’, without taxes being paid? Who at MAIB ‘asked’ PAS to cancel the tax payment on that transaction?” he wrote on his Facebook page.
The post was later deleted, but journalists managed to preserve a screenshot. It also served as a reminder from Chicu to Tofan of the tax affair allegedly carried out together with PAS, hardly a flattering background for a man presented as chairman of the board.
Officials accused of missing the obvious symbolism
Deputy mayor of the capital Victor Pruteanu said the prime minister’s team should have checked the venue in advance and either demanded that the sign be changed or refused to take part in the event altogether. In his view, a head of government should have the efficiency of a CEO, but the mindset of a statesman.
“The very second they saw that sign, they should have informed him, and either the wording should have been changed or he should not have attended the event at all.”
“Had something like this happened in the days of the captured state, the entire press would have been shouting about ‘usurpation of power’ and the establishment of dictatorship. Now everyone is silent, including journalists from pro-European outlets,” he said, pointing to the deafening silence of pro-government media in a situation where they would otherwise be expected to sound the alarm over threats to the state.
Activist Vitalie Sprînceană saw the episode as a revealing image of how part of Moldovan business views the country: purely as a commercial enterprise. Telegram channels went even further, arguing that the authorities treat citizens like shareholders who, in reality, have no influence over anything.
Lawyer Vitalie Florea reacted especially harshly, saying Tofan had gravely insulted the state and its citizens by doing so publicly and in an organised manner. In his view, such actions are not only absurd, but dangerous.
“Throughout its history, the Republic of Moldova has had different statuses, but this is the first time it has been called a joint-stock company. Throughout the history of the Republic of Moldova, it has had different leaders, but never one like Tofan. This individual has turned out to be more foolish than Gavrilița and Munteanu combined. And, like any fool, he does not even realise what absurd actions he is committing.”
“Prime Minister Tofan has gravely insulted the state of the Republic of Moldova and its citizens. And he did so publicly, in an organised way, in collusion with hundreds of people. Well then, all of you have made a fine mess of it!” Florea wrote.
Government distances itself from Republica Moldova S.A.
As the scandal grew, the government hurried to distance itself from the situation. Cabinet spokesman Dumitru Ciorici told NewsMaker that the message displayed by the group of entrepreneurs at the meeting with the prime minister had nothing to do with either the government or its intentions.
“It was solely an attempt by a group of entrepreneurs to show creativity in their approach, and the government is not commenting on it,” he added.
In the end, an attempt to discuss the country’s development in the language of business turned into an awkward episode for the prime minister. A metaphor intended as an allusion was taken literally, and judging by the reaction, not everyone is ready to see Moldova in the role of an S.A.
