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Moldovan currency significantly weakens

September 29, 2009
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Shock on the Moldovan currency market. The euro and dollar cost went up by more than 1 leu overnight, exceeding the psychological level of 18 lei per euro and respectively 12.5 lei per dollar.

The newly-appointed Finance Minister, Veaceslav Negruta, believes that the euro and dollar gained strength artificially as a result of market speculations. In the meantime, ex-Economics Minister, now Communist MP, Igor Dodon says that the new authorities are to blame for this.

The exchange rates posted today by exchange office caused panic among Moldovans. If yesterday, 24 September, 1 euro was sold for less than 17 lei, today it is sold for more than 18 lei. The US dollar was sold today for 12.5 lei up from 11.26 lei yesterday.

At the same time, the difference between the selling and buying exchange rates puzzles. Exchange offices today registered huge profits, worth almost 1 leu for every sold euro or dollar.

The newly-appointed Finance Minister, Veaceslav Negruta, explains this situation by various speculations: "This is a very well organized game on the market. We will have more information very soon. What has been happening over the last few days on the market indicates a well organized game."

For his part, ex-Economics Minister Igor Dodon says that the chaos on the currency market is politically motivated:
"People no longer believe that the current authorities could maintain the financial situation and panic has started."

On 25 September, the new ruling pro-Western Alliance for European Integration voted on appointment of Liberal Democratic Party leader Vlad Filat as prime minister, as well as on his proposed cabinet and action programme. The mandate of the first and only governor of the Moldovan National Bank, Leonid Talmaci, also expired today.

ProTV, Moldova's private TV channel