Moldovan PM-designate speaks about government team

Designated Prime Minister Vasile Tofan says that the current government team can achieve very good results, even though the new cabinet includes more ministers from the previous government. The statement was made today in Parliament, in response to questions from MP Alexandru Versinin, who questioned the capacity of the same team to increase exports, investments and the standard of living of citizens

MP Alexandru Versinin noted that, although the government’s stated objectives include economic growth, higher exports and increased investments, the data on exports and the trade deficit show negative developments. The MP asked why citizens should believe that the same government team will be able to achieve different results.

“Why should citizens believe that the same team, the same lineup, the same foreign minister will manage to attract more investments, increase exports and, in the end, ensure people’s well-being?” Alexandru Versinin asked.

In response, Vasile Tofan compared the government team to a sports team and stated that better management can deliver better results even with the same people.

“I rather see my role as that of a coach. And, to answer your question, if you allow me to use this metaphor, a good coach can, with the same players, build a better team. There have been examples in the history of football, but also in the history of management, when changing the way of working, the discipline and the objectives led to much better results,” the designated prime minister said.

Tofan noted that his intention was to minimize changes in the government team in the short term, given that the cabinet has many objectives to accomplish.

“My intention was to keep the team, first of all in the short term, including because we have so much to do and we cannot afford changes that would lead to blockages. At the same time, I must admit that I am a demanding coach, because I am demanding with myself and I am demanding with others as well,” Vasile Tofan said.

The designated prime minister warned that ministers and institutions that do not deliver results may be replaced.

“I want to assure you that, if I get the impression, based on results or the lack thereof, that certain ministries are not pulling their weight, I will have the courage to make changes. Moreover, I will insist on making changes. I am not someone who tolerates underperformance for a very long period. This is my sincere answer. At this point, I have full confidence in this team. We must be united; we must work as a team and we must have team spirit. I believe we have it and I intend for us to achieve many things together,” Vasile Tofan declared.

Another question addressed to the designated prime minister by MP Alexandru Versinin concerned the growing expenses borne by families, salaries deemed excessive in the public sector and possible new tax burdens.

The MP asked how long citizens will have to bear rising costs while some people in state structures enjoy considerable incomes and assets.

Vasile Tofan said that he understands citizens’ dissatisfaction and that he shares the outrage over cases of excessive salaries and abuses reported in the public space.

“I fully share people’s outrage and I agree that they have every right to be outraged by some of the cases that have occurred in the public space in recent times, especially in a context in which, indeed, prices are increasing and in which the government is putting forward tax reform proposals that need to be discussed,” the designated prime minister said.

At the same time, Vasile Tofan said that some problems, including inflation and energy shocks, are driven by external factors and cannot be fully controlled by the Moldovan authorities.

“The problem of inflation is not just the problem of the Republic of Moldova. If you speak with a German, a Spaniard, an American or a Turk, you will see that everyone is complaining about price increases. Many things are global and do not apply only to Moldova. Here we must separate the things we can control from those that are beyond our control,” Tofan said.

The designated prime minister cited the situation on the energy market as an example, noting that Moldova may have to face a new energy crisis.

“There is, for example, the energy shock and, believe me, I am not happy that, if I receive the confidence of this Parliament, I might have to start this mandate by managing yet another energy crisis. We all see what is happening on international markets and what is happening with prices on the exchanges. These are things that, unfortunately, we cannot control,” Vasile Tofan said.

At the same time, he said that the future government would focus on the issues on which it can intervene directly, including by increasing competition and combating abuses.

“One thing I can promise: on the matters that are within our control, I will act. I will push for enabling more intense competition that will lead to lower prices. I will act to cap outrageous salaries and to combat abuses. These are the things I will focus on,” the designated prime minister said.

Vasile Tofan promised that he would communicate openly with citizens also about the problems that cannot be solved immediately by the authorities.

“I will have the courage to speak directly to Moldovans about the things we cannot control. There are things we cannot control and there, I believe, we need to have an open discussion and not resort to populism or all kinds of political artifices, but to acknowledge reality as it is. My intention is to make use of the things we can control and to insist on them. Together with the team, we want to use these possibilities to the fullest,” Vasile Tofan concluded.