January 19 (SeeNews) - Moldova's constitutional court said that the parliament cannot dissolve itself and ruled that president Maia Sandu must nominate a prime minister designate following the resignation of Ion Chicu at the end of 2020.
Sandu, former leader of pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), has repeatedly said that she intends to trigger early elections without naming a PM designate. Former president Igor Dodon who lost to Sandu in November presidential elections, urged her in a televised statement on Monday to appoint a prime minister by February 1, and threatened to organize protests if she fails to do so.
Only the president can dissolve parliament if it refuses to endorse a new nominee for prime minister within 45 days after receiving a proposal and only in case at least two proposals for investiture have been rejected, the constitutional court said in its ruling published on Monday.
If the president refuses to nominate a prime minister designate, the parliament can suspend the head of state from office, the court added.
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 order to trigger early parliamentary elections, saying that he will serve as interim prime minister only until December 31.
Moldova's Socialist Party (PSRM), led by Dodon, is the biggest force in the 101-seat parliament, with 37 MPs. The Sor Party, led by businessman Ilan Sor, controls 9 seats. The two parties have formed an informal coalition and are in talks on establishing an official one, according to local media reports.
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.
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