President of Moldova appoints businessman Vasile Tofan as prime minister | Election News

The announcement comes after the former Prime Minister, Alexandru Munteanu, resigned earlier this month.

Moldova’s president has appointed a financier with no experience in government as the country’s prime minister, tasked with restoring public confidence and pushing the country forward to join the European Union.

President Maia Sandu named 44-year-old Vasile Tofan, who is a senior partner at Horizon Capital, on Saturday, after the former Prime Minister, Alexandru Munteanuhe resigned earlier this month, citing his inability to live up to his convictions.

At the time, Sandu thanked Munteanu for his work and for initiating “difficult but necessary changes”.

The ruling Moldovan Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which controls the parliament and government, supports Tofan.

Under Moldovan law, Mr. Tofan has 15 days to submit the governing program and the list of ministers to the parliament for approval.

Tofan was tasked with protecting the EU

Speaking at a press conference in Moldova, Mr. Tofan said that economic reform is one of the most important things he will do, as he will help Moldova join the EU at the end of 2028.

“If we don’t restore hope in the eyes of entrepreneurs, nothing will work because there will be no money,” he said.

Tofan said that he did not plan any major changes to the current cabinet, saying that continuity is needed for the success of government programs and to meet the deadline related to Moldova’s EU policy.

“If we miss this window, we can slow down our process,” he said.

“The biggest challenge I will face is finding a balance between the rapid change that is needed and continuity.”

A few days before his election, Tofan posted on Facebook describing Argentine President Javier Milei as an example of economic reform.

After criticizing him on television, he later said that he no longer believes that Argentina’s strategy is working in Moldova.

Moldova is located between Ukraine and EU member Romania.

It has a large Romanian-speaking population and a small Russian-speaking population.

Political power has been polarized for years between parties that support closer relations with Europe and those that want better relations with Moscow.