Moldovan parliament backs composition of new government by majority vote

The government led by Alexandru Munteanu has received a vote of confidence from the Parliament today evening, after a marathon session lasting over eight hours. The draft resolution was backed by 55 deputies of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) faction. Alexandru Munteanu said that the cabinet's activity would focus on economic growth, efficiency and European integration. "We have a unique chance to bring Moldova into the European Union and be the government of European integration," Alexandru Munteanu said in parliament on October 31.

The vote of confidence was given after a session of over eight hours, during which Alexandru Munteanu answered MPs' questions for about six hours. According to the Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, 50 deputies posed questions to the nominated candidate and 23 delivered speeches.

 

Representatives from the Communist Party of Moldova, the Party of Socialists of Moldova, Alternative, Democracy at Home, and Our Party said they would not support the Munteanu government.

"I did not leave the hall since the beginning of the session. I like to listen and have listened to you all. The criticism does not bother me. I appreciate the support of those who spoke so nicely and truly; we drew inspiration from PAS’s program; not being politically affiliated with this formation, I consider it the only path we have as a country for prosperity, a European course, and we have a unique chance now, that is why I came.

The criticisms are constructive. I came with an olive branch, believed in consolidation, that was indeed my message.

What bothered me is that it seems some colleagues are waiting for us to fail, which is disastrous and suicidal, because if we don’t succeed, it will be a great tragedy, we could lose our country. I do not understand colleagues who want our failure. The only thing I can say—I have not failed, I have carried out projects, I am a fighter and I will fight for the welfare, prosperity and European path of  Moldova—I promise this," said Alexandru Munteanu before the Commission’s report.

According to the Parliament's resolution, there will be two Deputy Prime Ministers without portfolios for European Integration and Reintegration in the government, held by Cristina Gherasimov and Valeriu Chiveri, respectively.

The cabinet of ministers led by Alexandru Munteanu intends to bring tangible benefits to people even before completing the formal EU accession process—investments, well-paid jobs, modern public services and a friendly and efficient administration. Alexandru Munteanu assured that he would be a prime minister who "listens, respects, and works."

The priorities of the new government include completing EU accession negotiations by 2028, increasing wages and pensions, modernizing hospitals and schools, boosting investments by up to 4 billion euros, supporting 25,000 enterprises, promoting Moldovan products and expanding access to European markets, investing nine billion lei through European Village and "European Courtyard programmes, modernizing 3,000 km of roads, constructing bridges across the Prut River and completing the Chisinau Beltway.

The governmental team includes both new names and those who will keep their positions held in the previous cabinet. Alexandru Munteanu said that this was a professional team capable of preparing Moldova for EU accession in the upcoming years. According to him, the governmental team combines experience and continuity with new energy and professional competence. The new government will have 14 ministries, five deputy PMs, including two without portfolios.

Cristina Gherasimov will keep her position as Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration. She held the same position in the Recean government starting February 2024. Previously, Cristina Gherasimov was the state secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and a foreign policy and European integration advisor to the President of Moldova.

Mihai Popsoi will continue to lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also serving as Deputy Prime Minister. He held the same position in the Recean cabinet starting January 2024. Previously, Mihai Popsoi was a deputy and vice president of Parliament.

Vladimir Bolea will be Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, a position held since 2024. He previously led the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and was a lawmaker.

Another Deputy Prime Minister office will be held by Eugen Osmochescu, who will lead the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitization. Osmochescu has over 25 years of experience in the legal, economic and business environment reform sectors. From 2009 to 2025, Osmochescu served as a program manager at IFC – the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group).

Valeriu Chiveri, a professional diplomat, will be the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, having previously served as our Moldova's Ambassador to Ukraine.

Vladislav Cojuhari will be the new Minister of Justice. A lawyer by profession, educated in Belgium and the USA, Cojuhari was previously the Secretary General of the Interior Ministry.

Andrian Gavrilita will head the Finance Ministry; he has 20 years of work experience in business administration and public policy areas.

Natalia Plugaru will be the new Minister of Labor and Social Protection. She is a specialist in sustainable development with over fifteen years of experience in developing and implementing programmes dedicated to demographic resilience and gender equality. She held the position of Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Moldova.

The leadership of the Ministry of Health will be undertaken by Emil Ceban, a doctor habilitated in medical sciences, the rector of the Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

The Ministry of Environment will be led by Gheorghe Hajder, who was previously the state secretary of the same institution.

Cristian Jardan will take the position of the Minister of Culture. He is a journalist and media manager with over 15 years of experience in Moldovan media.

The Ministry of Energy will continue to be led by Dorin Junghietu, who assumed the mandate in February, in the government led by Dorin Recean. Junghietu has over 15 years of experience in international companies in the energy field.

Dan Perciun will keep his position as Minister of Education, which he has held since July 2023. Perciun took over the Ministry’s leadership by resigning from the MP position.

Another minister retaining their position is Ludmila Catlabuga, proposed to lead the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. Catlabuga held the same position in the Recean government since November 2024, previously being the president of the Milk Producers Farmers Association.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs will continue to be led by Daniella Misail-Nichitin, who took over the office in 2024, previously being the state secretary at the same institution.

Another minister retaining their position is Anatolie Nosatii, proposed to lead the Ministry of Defense. He has held this position since August 2021.

According to the Constitution, the parliament gives vote of confidence to the government with the majority votes of the lawmakers elected. On the basis of the confidence vote granted by the legislature, the president of Moldova appoints the government. The cabinet exercises its powers starting the day the members take the oath in front of the head of state.