Decisive day for Tofan Government of Moldova: cabinet led by designated PM to ask for parliament’s vote of confidence on July 21

The cabinet of ministers proposed by the designated candidate for the position of prime minister, Vasile Tofan, today, July 21, will ask for the parliament’s vote of confidence. The lawmakers are to examine the government’s Activity Programme and the composition of the new cabinet.

The parliament meeting will start at 11:00, and during it Vasile Tofan will present the governing programme and the team proposed to lead the ministries; afterwards, je will request the support of the deputies for the investiture of the new government.

Vasile Tofan, proposed by the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) for the position of prime minister, is 44 years old and is an investor, entrepreneur and financier with experience accumulated in Moldova, Europe and the United States. He has been active for many years in the field of private equity investments and is one of the managers involved in major development projects of companies in the region.

The new government team includes both new names and members of the previous government who will remain in office. Thus, the new cabinet of ministers will have five deputy prime ministers. The positions will continue to be held by Eugeniu Osmochescu, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization; Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development; Mihai Popsoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Cristina Gherasimov, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration; and Valeriu Chiveri, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration.

At the same time, Dan Perciun will keep his position as Education and Research Minister, Daniella Misail-Nichitin will continue as Interior Minister and Vladislav Cojuhari will keep his position as Justice Minister. Meanwhile, Radu Musteata is proposed for the position of Agriculture and Food Industry Minister. Until now, Musteata has served as Director of the National Food Safety Agency.

MP Victoria Belous will take over the leadership of the Finance Ministry, a position she has previously held. At the same time, Alexandru Gasnas will be the new Health Minister. Natalia Plugaru will continue to serve as Labor and Social Protection Minister and Gheorghe Hajder remains Environment Minister.

Dan Suruceanu is proposed to head the Culture Ministry, Anatolie Nosatii remains at the Defense Ministry and the Energy portfolio will continue to be managed by Dorin Junghietu. The position of Secretary General of the Government will continue to be held by Alexei Buzu.

The programme that will be submitted to the deputies is called “European Economy, Efficient State,” and Vasile Tofan says that it represents the commitment on the basis of which the government team will work and according to which it will be evaluated.

According to the document, the mandate of the new government will be focused on the goal of “Moldova – a European, safe, and prosperous country in which private initiative drives growth and an efficient and competent state delivers quality public services that improve people’s lives.”

The strategic priority of the new government will be restarting the economy through entrepreneurship development and investment, the accelerated accession to the European Union, the modernization and digitalization of the state, the defense of the democratic course and transforming growth into jobs and better public services.

According to Tofan, the main objective of the government stays accession to the European Union. The National Accession Programme and the European Union Growth Plan will be implemented as an integrated programme for the modernization of the state and the economy, bringing together reforms, investments, the budget and European assistance.

The programme also sees that Moldova is in “a difficult context,” and in order to respond to current challenges, the future cabinet has set five key priorities: relaunching economic growth; accelerating accession to the European Union; an efficient, digital, and accountable state; security, justice, and peace; improving quality of life and social cohesion.

According to the document, improving quality of life is the final outcome of these transformations. It will grow sustainably through wages supported by productivity, companies that create opportunities, skills-oriented education and public services that reach people. Social protection will shield the vulnerable through well-targeted support, the programme of the new government team reads.

President Maia Sandu last week designated Vasile Tofan as candidate for the position of prime minister, following consultations with the parliamentary factions.

According to the legislation, the parliament gives the government its vote of confidence with the votes of a majority of the elected MPs. After the vote of confidence is granted, the Moldovan President appoints the government.

According to the Constitution, the cabinet of ministers ensures the implementation of the state’s domestic and foreign policy and exercises the general leadership of the public administration. The government carries out its work on the basis of the Activity Programme accepted by the parliament.