The Constitutional Court in Moldova has rejected a request by its new President Maia Sandu seeking to appoint new ministers, prolonging a months-long standoff between Sandu and her influential predecessor Igor Dodon.
Upon winning the November 2020 presidential election in the country of 3.5 million, where the West and Russia vie for influence, Sandu has made two attempts at nominating a new prime minister. However, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) party leader has continued to clash with a parliament dominated by lawmakers aligned with Dodon.
Earlier in January, Sandu nominated Natalia Gavrilita, a former finance minister to be the country’s next prime minister. The socialist-led parliament, however, opposed this decision, putting Mariana Durlesteanu forward instead. Sandu and her party rejected Durlestaanu, pushing Gavrilita forward again. The two rival parties have also disagreed on Sandu’s plan to hold snap elections, as well as her need to appoint a new government in the interim after the previous administration, appointed under Dodon, resigned, prompting her to turn to the court.
While the court ruled that the president had acted unconstitutionally by nominating Natalia Gavriliță to be the country’s next prime minister twice, it actually granted Sandu a partial victory with powers to appoint new state officials to key ministries such as finance and health.
Sandu Stands Her Ground
In a televised statement, however, Sandu appeared to suggest that she will stand her ground.
“I have said repeatedly that the only way for Moldova to move forward is to organise new parliamentary elections,” she said.
“I have promised the people that I will reform this country, reform the justice system, and fight corruption. That is why they voted for me. I call on all of those MPs who have not been bought by mafia clans to show courage: the courage to realise that we need a new election, because nothing good can ever come from the current parliament.”
Moldova has been without a prime minister since Ion Chicu resigned on December 23 last year, just hours before parliament was due to vote on a no-confidence motion, and only a day before Sandu took office.
