President Maia Sandu has reacted after the Party of Socialists and the National Alternative Movement (MAN) announced they will not participate in consultations on the nomination of a new prime minister.
Sandu said participation in the talks is a constitutional right of each party and that the final decision on appointing a candidate will be made after consultations with parliamentary factions.
“It is the parties’ decision, it is their constitutional right. I think it is good that they make use of this right, but the decision belongs to them, and we will speak with those who come to the discussions, and afterwards a decision will be taken,” Sandu said.
When asked whether businessman Vasile Tofan is being considered for the position of prime minister, the president declined to comment on possible candidates.
“We are not discussing any candidate. First the consultations with parliamentary factions must take place, and only after that can we talk about candidates,” she said.
The Socialist Party (PSRM) said it will boycott the consultations, calling them a formal exercise without real significance and arguing that responsibility for nominating a new prime minister lies exclusively with the parliamentary majority, while also calling for early parliamentary elections.
Earlier, MAN leader Ion Ceban also announced that his party would not take part in the consultations, saying it sees no point in the discussions.
The consultations were convened following the resignation of Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu on July 3. After consultations conclude, the president is expected to designate a candidate for prime minister.