Cousin-gate rocks Maia Sandu as wave of resignations hits Moldova

A scandal that began with revelations that the head of Moldova’s state-owned air navigation company had falsified parts of his CV has evolved into one of the biggest governance controversies faced by the country’s pro-European leadership. The affair has triggered a string of resignations, raised questions over the employment of President Maia Sandu’s cousin at both a state enterprise and an EU-funded reform project, and placed Moldova’s commitment to transparency under renewed scrutiny.

Within two weeks, the affair surrounding MoldATSA – the enterprise responsible for managing Moldova’s air traffic – triggered a cascade of resignations, raised fresh questions about political appointments and remuneration in state-owned companies, and prompted scrutiny of an EU-funded consultancy contract involving the Sandu’s relative.

The controversy comes at a delicate moment for Chisinau, as Moldova seeks to demonstrate that reforms in public administration and state governance are keeping pace with its European Union accession ambitions.

Investigation sparks political fallout

The scandal erupted after investigative outlet Ziarul de Gardă reported that MoldATSA director Dumitru Vangheli had included false information in the CV submitted when he applied for the position in 2025.

According to the investigation, Vangheli falsely claimed to have obtained a pilot’s licence in Canada and to have worked as a commercial pilot for Air Canada. The publication said documentary evidence obtained from the airline contradicted both claims.

The investigation also reported that Vangheli received one of the highest salaries in Moldova’s public sector – around 110,000 Moldovan lei (€5,500) per month.

Following the revelations, Vangheli was first suspended and later dismissed.

The scandal quickly expanded beyond the company’s management.

RISE Moldova subsequently revealed that Anastasia Taburceanu – a communications specialist and cousin of President Maia Sandu, had been hired by MoldATSA without a public competition during Vangheli’s tenure.

According to the investigation, Taburceanu received more than one million lei in less than a year, with her monthly remuneration reaching approximately 120,000 lei (€6,000) during 2026.

Taburceanu announced her resignation on 23 June and said she would return the money she had received from the company.

She stated that MoldATSA had approached her while searching for a communications specialist and that she initially attempted to recommend someone else before accepting the position herself after several discussions.

President Sandu said she had learned about the case from media reports and denied any involvement in the appointment, while calling for clarification regarding the unusually high salaries paid within the state enterprise.

More resignations follow

The controversy soon spread into the wider government.

On 29 June, PAS lawmaker Radu Marian resigned as chairman of parliament’s Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance, while retaining his parliamentary seat.

In a public statement, Marian acknowledged that he had recommended Vangheli for the post because they had known each other since childhood. “I made a mistake,” he wrote, adding that he was stepping down to protect the reputation of the governing Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS).

The same day, Roman Cojuhari resigned as director of the Public Property Agency (APP), the institution responsible for supervising MoldATSA.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu also announced the dismissal of two members of the Prime Minister’s Control Body – the structure responsible for overseeing public institutions – and pledged a fundamental reorganisation of the Public Property Agency after what he described as “too many signals and questions” regarding its oversight of state-owned enterprises.

EU-funded contract also examined

The political debate intensified after reports emerged that Taburceanu had simultaneously worked under an EU-funded Reform Support Team contract providing communication services to Moldova’s State Chancellery and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The contract, financed by the European Union and implemented through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), ran from October 2024 until June 2026.

Media reports said she received around €4,000 per month for that work, in addition to her remuneration from MoldATSA.

The Moldovan government confirmed that Taburceanu had provided communication services under donor-funded contracts but said it was not a party to the agreement and therefore had no access to its financial terms.

The EU Delegation in Moldova confirmed her participation in the Reform Support Team and said she had resigned in June.

It added that the EBRD is currently evaluating the implementation of the contract and that the European Commission will decide whether further measures are necessary once the assessment is completed.

The delegation also stressed that projects financed from the EU budget “must meet the highest standards” under the EU Financial Regulation and reiterated its expectation that Moldova’s public administration operate in accordance with the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance.

Why MoldATSA matters

Although little known outside Moldova, MoldATSA performs a strategically important function by managing civilian air traffic and ensuring the safe movement of aircraft through Moldovan airspace.

The company finances its operations through navigation charges paid by airlines, with those costs ultimately reflected in passenger ticket prices.

Former board member Oleg Tofilat noted that the company’s revenues have risen sharply since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as the closure of Ukrainian airspace redirected more regional air traffic through Moldova.

He argued, however, that the improved financial performance resulted largely from geopolitical circumstances rather than managerial success.

Sources: EUalive’s partner Nordnews as well as moldova.europalibera.org, zdg.md

Caption: President of the European Council Antonio Costa (R) and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (C) welcome President of Moldova Maia Sandu (L) ahead of the EU-Moldova Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 22 June 2026. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET