New Agriculture Minister denies ties to PDM
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Radu Musteața, denied being a member of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) and claimed he never led the party's territorial organisation in the Ciocana sector of Chisinau. He made these clarifications on July 23, following the emergence of photos and accusations suggesting that he possessed a PDM membership card.
Musteața claims that the images that allegedly show him at a party meeting are faked.
"I have no affiliation with the Democratic Party. I have seen the photos, but I think they are faked photos. I have not been to the Democratic Party meetings. I cannot confirm all the photos," the minister declared on Jurnal TV on the evening of July 22.
Asked if he would resign if the information turned out to be true, Musteața replied in the affirmative.
"If it is proven that the photos are true, of course," he said.
On the morning of July 23, the minister returned with a message on social networks in which he specified that, during his student days, he supported the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM), reasoning that he believed in the need for reforms and the European path of the Republic of Moldova. He mentioned that he met former PLDM deputy Nae Simion Pleșca and participated in meetings organized by him in the Ciocana sector, but stressed that this did not mean that he was a member of the PDM.
"I personally met Mr. Nae Simion Pleșca during the period when he was a PLDM deputy and responsible for the Ciocana sector. During his mandate as a deputy, he organized meetings with citizens and supporters in which I participated. However, this does not mean that I was a member of the PDM, that I held a party card or that I held any leadership position within this formation. The moment I understood that some political leaders used the trust and hopes of the people for personal gain, I decided to withdraw from the activity of a political activist", the minister said.
Radu Musteața added that he is currently focused exclusively on exercising his ministerial mandate, stating that his activity should be evaluated based on the results achieved in office.
"I remain focused on what really matters: developing agriculture, supporting farmers, strengthening the agri-food sector and advancing the European path of the Republic of Moldova. I believe it is important that people judge those who hold public office by the work they do, the results they achieve, and the responsibility with which they exercise their mandate", Radu Musteața declared.
We remind you that on July 21, Veaceslav Burlac, the president of the "Respect Moldova" Movement and a former member of the Democratic Party of Moldova, posted on social media expressing concerns about Radu Musteața. Burlac noted that Musteața had previously conducted activities for the PDM in the Ciocana sector and questioned how Musteața managed to pass the "filters of the Action and Solidarity Party" to become a minister.
The government led by Vasile Tofan was sworn in on Wednesday, July 22, after receiving a vote of confidence from Parliament the day before.
Radu Musteața has assumed the role of Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry in the Tofan government, following his leadership of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA).
The interim Director General of ANSA is Alexandru Manciu.
