Moldova: Alexandru Munteanu named new Prime Minister nominee
Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean is confident that Alexandru Munteanu, the governing party's nominee to lead the new Government, will move things 'in the right direction,' emphasizing that Mr Munteanu's experience suits him for 'the two aspects we had to address – security and justice reform, the cornerstones of a healthy economy.'
During Wednesday's final Cabinet meeting, before the Parliament elected on 28 September officially invests the new Government, Mr Recean thanked Mr Munteanu for accepting 'to come and lead the next Government.'
The Prime Minister noted he had known Mr Munteanu since university, where Mr Munteanu was his professor. 'In 1991, he convinced me to study electrophysics. I wanted to pursue mechanics, and at one point, he told me: "Dorin, the world is moving from atoms towards bits,"' Mr Recean recalled.
'Beyond Mr Munteanu's extraordinary experience in encouraging and developing students, his professional experience, and his skill in developing people, his background as an economist, entrepreneur, and investor will bring exactly the new impetus to the Government and society that we need to develop the economy,' the Prime Minister added.
Mr Recean also addressed Government colleagues, thanking them for the role they assumed 'during this difficult and challenging period,' which nevertheless culminated in a strong result. 'Our country is closer than ever to its strategic objective – accession to the European Union,' he said.
He expressed appreciation for the civil servants, including those from the State Chancellery and the institutions they represent, noting they had worked hard beyond the usual agenda, also managing the European integration agenda and numerous projects.
Dorin Recean steps down from public life
Mr Recean announced, at a press conference with the Speaker of Parliament, Igor Grosu, on 13 October, that he is retiring from public and political life. He will not lead the next Cabinet of Ministers and is also giving up the deputy mandate he won in the parliamentary elections, stressing it is a 'personal' decision.
Alexandru Munteanu nominated for Prime Minister
The Speaker of Parliament, Igor Grosu, leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), announced on 14 October that Alexandru Munteanu – an economist, university professor, and businessman with a career of over 25 years in international investment – will be proposed by PAS for the position of Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, following the validation of mandates by the Constitutional Court and the calling of the inaugural session by President Maia Sandu.
Political commentators in Chișinău noted it is 'an unexpected candidacy, but one with potential.' Experts believe his international business and economics experience could be an advantage for the new Government. However, his non-political background brings challenges in establishing a dialogue with the governing party and forming a functional team. A key test will be his ability to manage security and institutional functionality.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
