Moldova nominates businessman Vasile Tofan as new prime minister

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Businessman Vasile Tofan was nominated to be Moldova’s new prime minister on Saturday after the previous one, Alexandru Munteanu, stepped down earlier this month amid a series of scandals.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced the designation of Tofan during a press conference following a consultation with different parties in the government.

Tofan said that his priorities included relaunching the economy as well as leading Moldova “into the European Union as soon as possible.”

Tofan said, in reply to a question by journalists about Moldova’s EU ascension, that he wanted the country to sign a treaty to join the Union by the end of 2028 .

The previous prime minister, Munteanu, resigned earlier this month after saying that he felt he was no longer able to exercise his mandate in accordance with his beliefs. The government had been rocked by several scandals, including the arrest of a state secretary on suspicious of bribery.

Under Moldovan law, Tofan now has 15 days to call a vote of confidence on the government program in order to confirm his role.