Moldovan parliament approves new cabinet and prime minister

[News_Editor]

Moldovan parliament approves new cabinet and prime minister

2011-01-15 09:31:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

CHISINAU, MOLDOVA (BNO NEWS) -- The Moldovan parliament on Friday approved the new cabinet of ministers as well as Vladimir Filat as new Prime Minister, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Filat, 41, was confirmed as the new premier after he has been at the helm of the country for the past one and a half years. Filat is also the leader of the Liberal-Democratic Party.

The previous government submitted its resignation following the November 28 elections that were held in order to elect a new parliament. However, the Liberal-Democratic Party failed to secure majority.

The party of the now confirmed PM Filat won only 32 seats in the parliamentary elections. The Communist Party was the big winner after obtaining 42 seats and thus gaining majority.

Last year, parliamentary speaker Marian Lupu was appointed as acting president of Moldova. The decision was taken on December 30 after a coalition was formed in the former Soviet republic.

A center-right coalition comprised of the Democratic Party, the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democratic Party was formed in order to respond the Communist Party's newly majority.

Lupu, 44, is also expected to run for the presidency. However, the center-right coalition, which has a total of 59 votes, lacks the two extra votes necessary to elect a president.

Parliamentary majority or 61 votes are needed in order to elect Moldova's president.- This condition has caused many internal struggles and has left the impoverished ex-Soviet republic without a full-time president since 2009.

The United States congratulated Filat for his appointment and welcomed the formation of the new Moldovan government by the Alliance for European Integration coalition. The U.S. reassured continuation of practical assistance during this transition.

In addition, Moldova will continue benefiting from the U.S aid package of $262 million for the development of the former soviet state's agriculture and infrastructure.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-15