Moldova's Prime Minister Resigns, Deputy Takes over

Moldovan President Maia Sandu appointed Deputy Prime Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu as the country's acting prime minister on Tuesday, days after the surprise resignation of Alexandru Munteanu.

Osmochescu, who also serves as minister of economic development and digitalization, will formally assume the role on Wednesday. Before entering government, he worked at the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank's private sector lending arm.

Munteanu announced his resignation on Friday, saying he could no longer carry out his duties “in accordance with my principles and convictions”. Under Moldova's constitution, his departure automatically triggered the resignation of the government, which will continue in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is approved.

In a Facebook post, Munteanu thanked Osmochescu for accepting the role and wished him success. President Sandu has said she will consult parliamentary factions this week before nominating a permanent prime minister.

Sandu's pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) holds a comfortable majority in Moldova's 101-seat parliament, giving it a strong position to approve the country's next government.

(Reuters, Max)