Prime Minister-designate Vasile Tofan held consultations on Monday with opposition parties ahead of presenting his government programme and seeking a vote of confidence in Parliament. The meetings featured both recommendations and criticism, while the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) reiterated that it would not support the new Cabinet.
Olga Ursu, an MP from the National Alternative Movement (MAN), said her party joined the consultations to learn about the priorities of the incoming government but was not presented with a final governing programme.
“We took part in these consultations to hear the future government’s programme. Unfortunately, a final programme has not yet been presented to us,” Ursu said.
She added that the discussions suggested only a limited cabinet reshuffle, with just a few ministers expected to be replaced.
MAN proposed several measures, including a national referendum on local public administration reform, the withdrawal of the government’s planned tax reform and the “Restart” education reform, greater transparency in the use of EU funds, the depoliticization of state institutions, and a clear roadmap for judicial reform.
The party also called for an end to school closures, stronger support for farmers and the agricultural sector, and higher salaries for teachers, doctors, police officers, and local public administration employees.
“I hope Mr. Tofan, as a non-partisan prime minister-designate, will serve the Republic of Moldova and its citizens rather than the interests of a political party,” Ursu said.
PSRM also attended the consultations. Party leader Igor Dodon said Socialist MPs questioned Tofan about the priorities of the future government and its proposed solutions to the country’s key challenges.
“We are waiting for the government programme to assess the proposed measures in detail. At the same time, our position remains unchanged: we will not vote for this government and will continue to support the need for early parliamentary elections,” Dodon said.
Ion Chicu, leader of the Party of Development and Consolidation of Moldova (PDCM), said his party wished Tofan success and would support government initiatives that benefit citizens.
“We wished him success. We will support the government’s actions whenever they serve the interests of the people rather than a narrow circle of PAS political clients or relatives,” Chicu said.
The Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) declined to attend the consultations. Party leader Diana Caraman said the Communists would not associate themselves with what she described as an “anti-people and corrupt government.”
Meanwhile, the Our Party parliamentary faction left its scheduled meeting with Tofan after he arrived late. The prime minister-designate said his previous meeting with farmers had overrun and invited the MPs to reschedule the discussion.
Tofan’s government is expected to seek Parliament’s vote of confidence on July 21. President Maia Sandu nominated him for the post of prime minister following consultations with parliamentary factions.