The Government of Moldova

Moldova - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Moldova, it was named for the Moldova River in neighboring eastern Romania; the river's name probably comes from the Indoeuropean root word mel, meaning "dark" or "black". The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 32 districts (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

districts: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau

autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia

territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)

National symbols

Aurochs (type of wild cattle).

The flag

The National flag of Moldova has three equal vertical bands of Prussian blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red; emblem in center of flag is a Roman eagle of dark gold outlined in black, with a red beak and talons; the eagle carries a yellow cross in its beak, a green olive branch in its right talons, and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on the eagle's breast is a red-and-blue shield divided horizontally, with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent in black and outlined yellow; colors are based on the Romanian flag, but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag displays a mirror image of the coat of arms.

note: one of three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides -- the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

More about the government of Moldova

Constitution
Date of Independence	27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday	Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Legal system	civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Previous 1978; latest adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994
Amendment process	Proposed by voter petition (at least 200,000 eligible voters), by at least one third of Parliament members, or by the government; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament within one year of initial proposal; revisions to constitutional articles on sovereignty, independence, and neutrality require majority vote by referendum; articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of Moldova
Dual citizenship recognized	no
Residency requirement for naturalization	10 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Maia SANDU (since 24 December 2020)
Head of government	Prime Minister Dorin RECEAN (since 16 February 2023)
Cabinet	Cabinet proposed by the prime minister-designate, nominated by the president, approved through a vote of confidence in Parliament
Election/appointment process	president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister designated by the president in consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence for his/her proposed work program from the Parliament
Most recent election date	3 November 2024
Election results	2024: In the second round of presidential elections, incumbent Maia SANDU (PAS) wins 55.4% of the vote, Alexandr STOIANOGLO (PSRM) 44.6; turnout is 54.3% 2020: Maia SANDU elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Maia SANDU (PAS) 57.7%, Igor DODON (PSRM) 42.3% 2016: Igor DODON elected president in second round; percent of vote - Igor DODON (PSRM) 52.1%, Maia SANDU (PAS) 47.9%
Expected date of next election	2028
Legislative branch
Legislature name	Parliament (Parlament)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	101 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Proportional representation
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	7/11/2021
Parties elected and seats per party	Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) (63); Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BECS) (32); Șor Party (PPȘ) (6)
Percentage of women in chamber	40%
Expected date of next election	September 2025
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief judge, 3 deputy-chief judges, 45 judges, and 7 assistant judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 6 judges)
Judge selection and term of office	Supreme Court of Justice judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistracy, an 11-member body of judicial officials; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy for 6-year terms; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term
Subordinate courts	Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Viorel URSU (since 12 December 2022)
Chancery	2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone	[1] (202) 667-1130
FAX	[1] (202) 667-2624
Email address and website	washington@mfa.gov.md https://sua.mfa.gov.md/en
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Daniela DIPIERRO (since June 2024)
Embassy	103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009
Mailing address	7080 Chisinau Place, Washington DC 20521-7080
Telephone	[373] (22) 408-300
FAX	[373] (22) 233-044
Email address and website	ChisinauACS@state.gov https://md.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Struve Geodetic Arc