Moldova has a new government
Former interior minister and presidential adviser on security matters, Dorin Recean is the new PM of the Republic of Moldova.
Bogdan Matei, 17.02.2023, 13:50
Far from being an example of political stability, the Republic of Moldova has just endorsed its 16th prime minister in the 32 years since becoming an independent state. This means an average 2-year mandate for every head of government. Right-wing or left-wing politicians, with pro-Russian or pro-Western sympathies, the Moldovan prime ministers failed to leave their mark on the country’s history.
It was Dorin Recean’s turn, on Thursday, to be appointed at the helm of the government. A former interior minister and presidential advisor on security matters, he took over the post left vacant after Natalia Gavrilita’s resignation a week before. Gavrilita was heading the government since August 6, 2021, after the presidential Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) had won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections — 63 out of 101 seats. Gavrilita said, upon resigning, that the country was about to enter a new stage in which security had absolute priority.
The Recean Government was also installed with the support of the Action and Solidarity Party’s votes and its makeup differs very little from the previous one. According to the Radio Romania correspondents in Chisinau, only four ministers have been replaced. However, the governing manner is expected to be changed, from a rather soft and slow one, specific to Gavrilita, to an active and firm one, in keeping with the way Recean is perceived in the public space. Political analysts in Chisinau have said that, beyond the public statements, there are clues indicating that the slow pace of reforms implemented by the Gavrilita cabinet, coupled tensions among those in power, were the main triggers of the government change.
”The governing programme is based on President Maia Sandu’s vision for development and on that of the Action and Solidarity Party, adjusted to the present-day reality. Today we are faced with challenges such as a high inflation rate, the war in the neighbouring Ukraine and higher energy bills,” Recean said in his speech held before the MPs upon being sworn in. The new PM has promised to bring order in public institutions and render them more effective, and also to simplify the access of business circles to financial resources. He has also emphasised the need for a more efficient fight against corruption. EU accession and economic development are among the new government’s priorities as well.
In terms of foreign policy, Recean has pledged to focus on the implementation of the countrys strategic course, the integration into the European Union, after Moldova was granted, last year, the status of candidate country. As international news agencies have reported, special attention will be granted to the ties with the neighbouring Romania, ties which should be ”strategic” and ”privileged”. The need for stronger relations with the United States and other Western donors, whose support is vital to one of the poorest states in Europe, has also been emphasised. (EE)
