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Moldova parliamentary speaker demands that premier should go

Mihai Ghumpu, the leader of the Liberal Party included in the coalition had demanded the premier’s resignation earlier

CHISINAU, February 25 (Itar-Tass) – Now that Moldova’s ruling coalition, the Alliance for European Integration, has dissolved, Prime Minister Vlad Filat should resign, parliamentary speaker Marian Lupu, the leader of the Democratic Party included in the alliance, said on Monday.

“We insist on the premier’s resignation now that the coalition has split up. Then it will be possible to hold consultations on overcoming the political crisis and on early elections. If the premier ignores this demand, the faction of the Democratic Party will initiate a vote of non-confidence in the government or will support such an initiative of other deputies,” Lupu said.

Mihai Ghumpu, the leader of the Liberal Party included in the coalition had demanded the premier’s resignation earlier. The Communists supported this initiative. However, the premier, who heads the Liberal-Democratic Party, believes that “the cabinet’s resignation will mean the beginning of a new election campaign and new election.” “Early election is not the best decision. This means loss of time and uncertainty in the economic area,” he said.

These statements came in the wake of the political crisis that broke out in Moldova when the Liberal-Democrats headed by Filat, together with the Communist opposition, voted in parliament for dismissal of deputy chairman of the Democratic Party Vladimir Plahotniuc, who is regarded as one of the wealthiest and most influential people in Moldova. The premier also made it plain that this week he was going to dismiss those ministers who, in his opinion, failed to do their jobs properly.

With the withdrawal of the Liberal-Democrats having 31 seats in parliament, the two remaining parties have 27 seats in the 101-seat parliament. The other seats belong to Communists (34 seats) and independent deputies. Experts believe there can be two scenarios: either early election or reconstruction of the coalition under new terms. In the first case chances are high that the left forces will come back to power.