March 18 (SeeNews) - The majority coalition in Moldova's parliament on Thursday named the country's ambassador to Moscow, Vladimir Golovatiuc, as prime minister-designate, challenging the candidate proposed by pro-European president Maia Sandu two days before.
The parliamentary majority comprising the pro-Moscow Socialist Party (PSRM), Sor Party and PRO Moldova requested Sandu to again hold talks with political parties on designating the candidate for prime minister, PSRM said in a statement.
In response, Sandu said in a statement that she is willing to hold new talks with parties after the pros and cons of the nomination she made earlier will be known.
On Tuesday evening, Sandu nominated member of parliament Igor Grosu prime-minister designate following a new round of consultations with political parties, after Mariana Durlesteanu, the candidate proposed by the majority coalition, refused the nomination.
Grosu has been serving as MP since 2019 and is the acting president of pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), which Sandu led before becoming president.
In February, Sandu said that she will continue to push for early elections or for a referendum for her dismissal.
Moldova has been governed by a caretaker cabinet led by foreign affairs and European integration minister Aurel Ciocoi since December, when former prime minister Ion Chicu resigned in a move aimed to prompt early parliamentary elections.
According to the country's constitution, the parliament can call a referendum for the suspension of the president on the votes of at least two thirds of the MPs. Regarding the nomination of a new prime minister, if parliament rejects the president's choice twice in the span of 45 days, the head of state can dissolve the assembly and set a date for a snap election.
PSRM, led by former president Igor Dodon who lost to Sandu in the November presidential elections, has 36 MPs. Sor Party, led by businessman Ilan Sor, controls nine seats in parliament, PAS holds 15 seats, while pro-EU Dignity and Truth Party (PDPDA) controls 11 seats. The Democrat Party of Moldova holds 11 seats, Pro-Moldova has seven seats, while the remaining 12 mandates are held by independent MPs.
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