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Moldova parliament dismisses government

As many as 54 deputies voted for the dismissal of the government

CHISINAU, March 5 (Itar-Tass) – The Moldovan parliament has passed the non-confidence vote to Vlad Filat’s government.

As many as 54 deputies voted for the dismissal of the government. These deputies represent the opposition Communist Party and are also included in the ruling Democratic coalition and the group of independent lawmakers.

Now after consultations with the parliamentary factions Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti is to nominate a candidate for premiership that will put up for approval of the parliament the composition and a program of a new Cabinet. For this purpose three attempts are given within 45 days. If for this period of time a new Cabinet is not formed, the president dissolves the parliament and sets the date of early parliamentary elections.

Local analysts believe that this scenario is not ruled out in Moldova, because the ruling coalition Alliance for European Integration formed in December 2010 is not viable and cannot form a new Cabinet. The coalition has split in the previous week after the Liberal Democrats led by the then Prime Minister Filat quitted the agreement to form the coalition. After that the deputies from the party, which the prime minister heads, together with the Communists voted in the parliament for the dismissal of First Vice-Speaker and Democrat member Vladimir Plahotniuc. He is considered in Moldova as one of the most wealthy and influential people, as well as the main opponent of the prime minister.

The demarche of the premier and his demand to revise the previous agreements over the division of powers raised criticism from his partners – Democratic leader and Parliamentary Speaker Marian Lupu and Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu. They also demanded the dismissal of the government that, in their view, should permit to overcome the political crisis.

President Timofti opposed the dismissal of the government, as the latter find early elections in 2013 undesirable. Moldova should sign an association agreement with the European Union in this year.