“Making Suceava Better” – An Empty Promise?
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
Ion Stefanovici, President of CAPDR
Almost half a year into his term as mayor of Suceava, Vasile Rîmbu has yet to offer any clear indication of a development vision for the city
Instead of a well-structured strategy and concrete directions for modernizing and enhancing the city’s competitiveness, the Rîmbu administration has stood out for a series of minor administrative actions lacking strategic impact.
Although the slogan “Making Suceava Better” was one of the key campaign elements that garnered electoral support, reality shows that the mayor’s priorities are focused on isolated measures—more characteristic of a small-town administrator than the leader of a county capital.
Control and Apparent Order, But No Vision
One of the first actions undertaken by the new mayor was the rigorous inspection of parking spaces, street advertisements, and more recently, activities in the Bazaar. Undoubtedly necessary actions, but these fall under the responsibilities of the Mayor’s Control Body and other administrative structures, without warranting the direct involvement of the mayor himself. While such measures help bring order to the city, they fail to address essential questions about Suceava’s future.
Another example is the pruning of trees and the distribution of the resulting firewood to residents—a standard practice in any locality but one that was announced and promoted as if it were a major achievement. When such actions become central talking points for the local administration, it is clear that Suceava is suffering from a severe leadership crisis and a lack of strategic direction.
What Should the Mayor of Suceava Be Doing?
Instead of channeling resources and energy into minor administrative actions, Suceava’s mayor should be addressing real challenges that could have a significant impact on the city’s development:
- Developing a clear economic growth strategy that leverages the city’s proximity to Ukraine and future post-conflict reconstruction opportunities.
- Attracting foreign investments and developing business infrastructure, especially on the former Termica site, which could become an industrial or technology hub.
- Capitalizing on the transport corridor created by the A7 Highway, ensuring that Suceava is not merely a transit point but a key economic hub.
- Accessing European funds with clear objectives, aligned with the city’s needs rather than generic project fulfillment.
- Revitalizing tourism and the HoReCa sector through a well-structured 2025 events agenda, including the promotion of the Princely Fortress and the creation of an attractive cultural calendar.
A telling example of the local administration’s disinterest in promoting the city is the complete lack of involvement in the launch of the film “The Sun of Suceava – The Beginning”, a production depicting the childhood of Stephen the Great that could become a cultural landmark for Suceava’s identity. Even the parking lot at the Fortress remains covered in dust, reflecting an administration trapped in minor issues with no strategic horizon.
Institutional Stalemate and Politicized Administration
Beyond the lack of a development vision, an ongoing silent battle for positions, committees, construction permits, and public contracts is taking place within Suceava City Hall. Instead of an efficient administration, we see a cumbersome bureaucratic mechanism plagued by political and economic interests.
If the current pace of the Rîmbu administration continues, the next four years will likely be marked by stagnation and a lack of initiative rather than the economic and urban development that Suceava’s residents expect.
As President of the Center for Regional Development Analysis and Planning (CAPDR), I express my deep disappointment with the way Vasile Rîmbu has chosen to start his term. Suceava needs a proactive administration, one that looks beyond routine measures and develops an ambitious growth plan.
If the mayor of Suceava truly wants to “make Suceava better,” then it is time to prove it through concrete actions—not through superficial administrative measures.
