Victoria Belous appointment follows Marian’s resignation
The PAS parliamentary majority has appointed Victoria Belous to replace Radu Marian, who resigned after becoming embroiled in the controversy dubbed “Sandugate”. Critics argue that the Victoria Belous appointment represents little more than a change of personnel, rather than a meaningful shift in policy.
Unlike Marian, whose background was largely in music and civil society, Belous has substantial professional experience in economics and public finance. She rose from tax inspector to Finance Minister in the government led by Dorin Recean.
However, her record in office has also drawn criticism, particularly over spending priorities and the distribution of public funds.
Record as finance minister
During her time as Finance Minister, Victoria Belous became associated with efforts to cut spending in areas the government considered non-essential. Critics said these reductions affected social programmes, youth policy and agriculture.
Speaking about the problems facing farmers, she argued that “investment should go into business models that deliver results”. Her opponents accused her of redirecting resources towards politically useful programmes, particularly during the election campaign.
The government allocated 300 million lei to payments of 1,000 lei for pupils in grades one to nine. A further 300 million lei was distributed under a student support programme.
Another 58 million lei was set aside to “cover insufficient personnel expenditure”, while 50 million lei was allocated to strengthen the state-owned Railway of Moldova. An additional 50 million lei went to the government’s intervention fund.
Critics described these measures as an attempt to use taxpayer money to secure electoral support. The government, however, presented them as targeted assistance and support for public institutions.
Critics expect little policy change
Opponents of Belous say she failed to significantly improve the country’s financial position while serving as minister. They instead portray her as a reliable party official who ensured that public money was distributed in line with PASpriorities.
The Victoria Belous appointment is therefore unlikely to reassure those who had hoped that Marian’s departure would lead to a broader change in the parliamentary majority’s economic approach.
While Radu Marian often attracted attention through his public statements and behaviour, critics expect Belous to bring a more restrained but equally controversial style to the role.
