January 28 (SeeNews) - Moldova's president Maia Sandu said she decided to name former finance minister Natalia Gavrilita as prime-minister designate and task her with the formation of a new government.
"I made the decision to nominate Natalia Gavrilita as prime minister designate. She is a person I trust, an ethical and responsible professional," Sandu said in a live streamed conference on Wednesday evening. Gavrilita served as finance minister in Sandu's cabinet in 2019.
However, Sandu, who is former leader of pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), has also said that the party will not back Gavrilita's cabinet in a move to trigger early elections.
Earlier this month, Moldova's constitutional court said that parliament cannot dissolve itself and ruled that Sandu must nominate a prime minister designate following the resignation of Ion Chicu at the end of 2020. If the president refuses to nominate a prime minister designate, the parliament can suspend the head of state from office.
On December 31, Sandu named foreign affairs and European integration minister Aurel Ciocoi interim prime minister following Chicu's resignation. Chicu resigned on December 23 in a move aimed to prompt early parliamentary elections.
Moldova's Socialist Party (PSRM), led by Dodon, is the biggest party in the 101-seat parliament, with 37 MPs. The Sor Party, led by businessman Ilan Sor, controls nine seats. The two parties have formed an informal coalition and are in talks on establishing an official one, according to local media reports.
The Action and Solidarity Party holds 15 seats, while pro-EU Dignity and Truth Party (PDPDA) controls 11 seats. Democrat Party of Moldova holds 11 seats, Pro-Moldova has 3 seats, while the remaining 15 mandates are held by independent MPs.
(1 euro=21.1 lei)