February 23 (SeeNews) - Moldova's Constitutional Court said on Tuesday it ruled as unconstitutional the decision of pro-European president Maia Sandu to again name former finance minister Natalia Gavrilita prime-minister designate.
The president must hold new consultations with parties represented in parliament in order to reach a new compromise on the nomination of prime minister-designate, the court said in its decision.
The court acted on a request submitted by pro-Moscow Socialist Party (PSRM) to analyze the constitutionality of Sandu's decision to nominate Gavrilita prime-minister designate for a second time on February 11, after parliament rejected her cabinet.
Sandu said at the time that she nominated Gavrilita for a second time after being left unconvinced by a newly formed parliamentary majority led by PSRM.
PSRM, Sor Party and PRO Moldova parliamentary group announced earlier this month that they had established an official coalition and proposed former finance minister Mariana Durlesteanu for prime minister.
Sandu, who is former leader of pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), said last month that PAS would not back Gavrilita's cabinet, aiming to trigger early elections in a bid to tip the scales in Sandu's favour in the parliament in which PSRM is the largest party.
In January, the 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 stepped down on December 23 in a move aimed to prompt early parliamentary elections.
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. Democrat Party of Moldova holds 11 seats, Pro-Moldova has 7 seats, while the remaining 12 mandates are held by independent MPs.
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