Munteanu on 21 Billion-Lei Gap in Budget: We Will Cover It Through Borrowings

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu briefed on the draft budget proposed for next year. According to the official, the 2026 budget is planned to prioritize investment, with the deficit to be covered through external borrowing, deschide.md reports. In this context, he assured that Moldova will be able to repay the loans provided the funds are invested effectively and generate profit. Speaking about the sources of borrowing, the prime minister noted that they will proceed with the same caution, directing money to investment rather than consumption – a strategy that will increase confidence that it will be possible to repay it. “The problem is not borrowing, but how to use the money. Therefore, it is important to make investments with high returns and profitability, with jobs and higher wages. If we manage to use the money in this way, I believe that there are no macroeconomic risks. This morning we had a meeting with IMF representatives to review macroeconomic forecasts. I don’t think the debt will rise. I am confident our GDP will grow... We will discuss this matter with the International Monetary Fund: the deficit is larger, but it is mainly due to the investments we have planned. This is a much healthier deficit than one created by consumption. It is safe, and we can cover it through commercial borrowing from less expensive sources to minimize costs,” Alexandru Munteanu explained. Note that the draft law on the 2026 state budget provides for a budget deficit of about 21 billion lei. According to the data presented, revenues of 79,674 million lei are projected for next year, while expenditures are planned at 100,574 million lei. Thus, the accumulated deficit amounts to 20.9 billion lei.