PAS candidate for prime minister, meeting with Macron, Merz and Tusk: German Chancellor's joke about the French leader and Alexandru Munteanu
Alexandru Munteanu, the candidate for Prime Minister from the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), attended a meeting on August 27 with several prominent European leaders. During this event, they congratulated the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on Independence Day, including delivering messages in Romanian from a stage set up in the center of Chisinau. However, Munteanu has denied claims that his candidacy for Prime Minister was "imposed" by Western authorities on the leadership of Chisinau.
Munteanu revealed that he attended the meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, as president of the French Alliance in the Republic of Moldova, which he has led for over 30 years, rejecting accusations that he is the "protégé" of the leader in Paris or that he acts in the interests of the West.
"It is true that I had the opportunity to meet with the German Chancellor, with the French President, but I was there as president of the French Alliance, as many know, I have been dealing with this for more than 30 years. I was invited to greet the French President, who his friends accompanied. I even spoke in French and the Chancellor joked that, finally, Emmanuel (Macron – n.r.) has found someone he can talk to", Alexandru Munteanu recalled on October 20, on a TV8 show.
Alexandru Munteanu stated that the meeting was an “*informal” one, with the participants exchanging “certain opinions”: “We did not discuss politics, but the future of the Republic of Moldova and the region”.
The PAS candidate for prime minister does not agree that, given the latest events, including the cessation of funding through USAID, the Republic of Moldova would no longer represent an “interest” for the USA, as he is a citizen of both states.
“Now, the US attention is focused on resolving global conflicts, but I do not believe that the Republic of Moldova is not of interest. The $130 million grant recently offered to the Republic of Moldova (for the construction of the Gutinaș - Strășeni high-voltage line) is not a small amount, especially at a time when the Trump administration is promoting optimizations and reducing personnel costs,” Munteanu pointed out.
On the same show, the candidate of the party that obtained a parliamentary majority in the September 28 elections admitted that he holds the citizenship of three states – the Republic of Moldova, the USA and Romania, specifying, however, that this does not contradict the legislation of the Republic of Moldova.
“I have been an American citizen since 2006. At first, my family had a Green Card from the time I worked at the World Bank. The Americans have such a program for “exceptional characteristics”. I don't think I have exceptional characteristics. Still, they offered us to become American citizens and I accepted, because I was impressed by the American economy, I like this country, my two sons now live and work in America", said Munteanu.
The same source said that he pays taxes in all countries where he is a tax resident and where he lives more than 180 days a year.
"I pay taxes in all countries where I am a resident, that is, in countries where I spend more than 180 days. I lived in the Republic of Moldova, I paid in the Republic of Moldova. I did the same in Ukraine and Romania. But I pay the most in the USA, because it is one of the few countries where paying taxes is mandatory, no matter where you are", said Alexandru Munteanu.
We recall that Alexandru Munteanu announced, on October 20, that the list of the future Cabinet of Ministers would be finalized by the end of this week.
Among the priorities he set as the future prime minister, Munteanu listed attracting investment, developing small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting quality education, and ensuring the population's access to modern medical services.
Acting Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, announced on Monday, October 20, on the PE FAȚĂ show on Moldova 1 TV, that the Republic of Moldova could have a new Government at the end of October and that he would be, "most likely", part of the future Executive.
