Should the parliament grant approval, Tofan will take on the mission of advancing Moldova closer to achieving its EU membership ambitions and restoring an economy that has faced prolonged downturn.
On Saturday, Moldova’s pro-European President Maia Sandu put forward businessman Vasile Tofan as the nominee for prime minister, succeeding Alexandru Munteanu, who stepped down earlier this month due to disputes with the ruling majority.
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In a video shared on social media, Sandu highlighted that once parliament endorses Tofan’s candidacy, his main duty will be to further steer Moldova along the course of European Union «integration.»
Additionally, he is expected to «enhance the robustness of governmental institutions and society» and to «rejuvenate the economy,» Sandu remarked.
The Moldovan entrepreneur now faces a two-week timeframe to gain parliamentary support, an aim he intends to fulfill after presenting his governmental agenda and proposed ministerial team.
Notably, Tofan was considered a potential prime ministerial candidate last year, prior to Munteanu’s appointment.
Igor Grosu, leader of Sandu’s Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) which emerged victorious in the September parliamentary elections, revealed on Friday that he chose Tofan as the candidate to succeed the departing prime minister.
According to Grosu, Tofan aligns with «the same goals» as both him and PAS, emphasizing that «EU membership in the coming years, institutional reforms, and economic development» represent the primary shared objectives.
The prime ministerial nominee, a Harvard Business School alumnus who will turn 44 this Sunday, also holds a degree in public management earned in the Netherlands and serves as managing partner at Horizon Capital, a private equity firm with assets largely in Ukraine and Moldova.
Moreover, he chairs the board of directors at Moldova’s Purcari winery, regarded as a flagship enterprise within the national wine industry.
Munteanu, who like Sandu had a previous tenure at the World Bank before entering politics, was selected to stimulate economic growth and strengthen the country’s European integration. However, disagreements with PAS led to his resignation in less than a year.
He left office on 3 July following a tenure shorter than eight months, declaring that fulfilling his responsibilities «according to (his) principles and (his) convictions» was no longer feasible.
Last month, the EU officially initiated the first stage of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Both nations attained official EU candidate status on 23 June 2022.
Additional sources • AFP