Moldovan premier-designate's statements in plenary session of parliament

Dear Mr. Parliament speaker,

Distinguished guests,

Dear MPs,

First of all, on behalf of myself and the colleagues designated to be members of the new Cabinet of Ministers, I would like to thank all the citizens of Moldova, who, on 30 November, made a choice for their children's future and for the sake of the country.

I come before you with full openness - and not just to ask for your vote, but also to take on a very important commitment in extremely complicated times.

As you know, the swearing in office takes place in a difficult period both politically as well as economically. Our region is rocked by recession and war. Daily, our Ukrainian friends and neighbors lose dozens of lives. Against this background, it is difficult to anticipate how events will develop in the region. What we know for sure, however, is that we have a duty to do our best to ensure that the citizens of Moldova be as little as possible affected by the crisis in the region.

Precisely for this reason, before being political, the today's vote must be very rational and responsible. A vote for stability, a vote providing the citizens with confidence that they can trust politicians' ability to protect their interests. People need a message of solidarity and a rebuilding of trust in politicians and we can make a significant step in this direction by the today vote.

Dear colleagues, 

The today's vote comes in a quite confusing domestic political context, when - although we have three pro-European parties who hold the required number of seats - we have not yet managed to form a pro-European alliance that would have a majority in the parliament.

There is no need to look for blame now - perhaps all of us have our share of guilt and responsibility. Now it is vital to find solutions to create a stable government.

The discussions that I had these days with fellow pro-European parties have given me reason to believe that there are prerequisites to have a pro-European parliamentary majority - which I hope will start today by a vote of confidence to the government.

On the last days, I had several discussions with colleagues from the Liberal Party. I wanted to understand better what are their expectations regarding future the government and found out that they hardly differ from the aspirations we have in the Liberal Democratic Party or the Democratic Party colleagues. Moreover - in my opinion, the government programme, which we will present today covers, to a great extent, the electoral expectations and commitments of the three pro-European parties.

As for the vote due to be given by the Party of Communists MPs today, I do not have concrete expectations, as the messages the fellow Communist faction conveyed so far are quite confusing.

Certainly, a positive vote given by the opposition would be a good sign for Moldova to convey both domestically, as well as internationally, related to how a constructive parliamentary opposition can be created. It is important, however, to clarify one thing, namely - the government members are nominated by the pro-European parties, not the opposition. Otherwise, it would mean that, de facto, those who are in opposition are also in power, which would cause a confusing and opaque situation, might even throw us in a deep political crisis. And I hope that discussions and consultations we had with members of the Party of Communists on 11 February brought clarifications required for the faction to adopt a constructive stance today.

As far as for fellow Socialist colleagues are concerned, I would like to tell them that, regardless of how they vote today and their arguments - more or less subjective - they will invoke, as long as our relationship is dominated by a respectful and responsible political attitude, they will find in me a Premier open to constructive proposals. And I welcome the announcement by the PSRM group - that they intend to make a serious and constructive opposition. As we need such an opposition.

Ladies and gentlemen, ‎

I made this introduction to highlight once again the special situation in which the today’s vote takes place and its consequences, as well as the subsequent responsibilities each of us is assuming, depending on the way we vote. 

‎At the same time, it is necessary that the signal we will give by the today’s vote be in the spirit of the commitments we took before the voters ahead of 30 November, as well as before the foreign partners, without the support of which Moldova cannot advance. Just as we cannot advance, if we do not carry out the reforms requested and do not strengthen the democratic state, especially in terms of the way the state institutions work. 

We very often speak to citizens about the foreign assistance, about reforms, about European integration, but I think that it is right to say more clearly, more peremptorily that Moldova does not have enough financial resources to develop at a fast pace without financial, and not only financial assistance, coming from abroad. This financial backing, however, is conditioned in the most positive way by reforms, modernisation of the state institutions.      

Since 2009 so far, we have had enough examples showing us that, reforms are   promoted, you are backed both by the citizens and foreign partners. We made changes in education, and the peopled supported us. We modernized roads, kindergartens, medical centres – and we were appreciated. We started changes at more public institutions – and we got cancelation of travel visas with most European countries.

There are more positive things which happened over these years, with direct benefits for people, yet now the priority for us is to focus on what we have to do further on.

Distinguished audience,

In continuation, I will refer to the principal elements of the government’s action programme.  

The first chapter of the cabinet’s action programme deals with fighting corruption – and this is not put on the forefront by accident. 

Corruption is the main obstacle to our country’s development. The fight with this scourge will be a priority objective of the government. Combating corruption is also the principal expectation of the people from Moldova – an expectation to which all those present in this hall are obliged to answer firmly and positively.

In our effort to fight corruption, the central principle, the importance of which many still do not fully realize – is transparency, which should be found in everything: economic sectors, actions of the control bodies, government’s policies, properties and incomes of officials and judges. 

What we have done in the fight against corruption so far is rather a technical step. Now, the most important stage comes, that will prove to what extent there is wish  to start a real fight with this scourge. 

And when I speak about the effects of the fight with corruption, I do not mean only the identification of the corrupt, but also to the creation of as efficient as possible mechanisms to recover the damages caused by them. It is important that the citizens know that the guilty people are called to account, but it is equally important that they see that the stolen money are recovered from the huge wealth of those who stole, not from the pockets of ordinary people.    

And you may be sure that, by voting for this programme and this team, you will vote also for a mission of the European Union starting working in Moldova as soon as possible, in order to provide support to law institutions and courts specialized in considering corruption causes – backing, as well as pressure.  

Another imperative remains the full reformation of justice and law-enforcement institutions, which are to guarantee the supremacy of law. The citizens have right to live in a country where, no matter whether one is politician, judge, civil servant or an ordinary employee – you are equal before the law. This is a precept which, just as the European integration demarche, is not being negotiated.    

We will manage to enhance the well-being and living standards of the people; develop the economy and facilitate creation of well-paid jobs, ensure personal security and strengthen the defence capacity of the country; provide accessible and cost-efficient public services; as well as guarantee social protection for the vulnerable groups of the population only via fighting corruption and guaranteeing the supremacy of law. 

At the same time, as a priority, the government will continue speaking out for the country’s reintegration and identifying a political solution to the Transnistrian conflict, which is to ensure a viable, democratic, independent, sovereign character of the reunified state. 

Among the immediate concerns, there are removing risks to the domestic and external security of the state, stabilization of the banking sector, sanctioning and combating financial frauds, by fostering the economic development and protecting the incomes of the citizens.

The fight against crime and frauds – in all their manifestations – will become the chief characteristic of the governance act. Referring to the entire period of independence, we should recognize that we do not have much do be pride of in this respect. I do not quite remember, on this period, real convictions for fiscal evasion, abusive taking over of business or embezzlement of public property. 

Dear MPs,

As you noticed, giving a confidence vote to this action programme, you provide the future government team with the political support for more important actions.

Among these, I will also highlight the optimisation of tax policies, including in matters regarding the introduction of a single income tax on private persons and legal entities, tax on real estate evaluated at the market price or tax on luxury goods. The taxes have to become fair and unavoidable, if we want to have more money in the budget, to be able to increase salaries and pensions!

Also, among the priorities I want to underline, there is the one referring to transparency of property rights in the financial sector. In order to ensure an effective regulation of a long-term stability of the sector, avoid creation of cartels and direct financial resources to develop the real economy, we should know who the real owners of the banks and financial institutions are. In this respect, it is necessary that the parliament sets the institutional framework needed to assess the institutional performance of subordinated independent regulatory agencies, as well as the professional performance and integrity of members of the management boards of these institutions.

The banking sector is vulnerable. Therefore, the respective field needs immediate attention and firm measures. Over the past years, we have managed to do  important things in terms of legislation, which are to contribute to the sector’s stability, but there is still much to do.

Another commitment is to enhance public control over expenditures, investments and public properties. In this context, one of the proposed specific measures would be to create an institution for the recovery and financial management of the state’s assets.

Finally, I want us to take a common commitment as to improve the public enterprises’ sector, including by continuing the processes of rationalisation, reorganisation and transparent privatisation, by appointing professional managers, and in the boards of directors – supervisors free of any conflict of interests and immune to political influences. Another necessary key measure is to set up the public purchase regime in the area of public enterprises.

To ensure an optimal, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, the government’s policies in the area will have the following key principles at the basis: economic freedom and equal conditions for all economic agents, loyal competition, support of entrepreneurship, balance of employees’ interests with the employers’ ones, energy security consolidation.

Together with these, the cabinet’s efforts will be directed to enhance competitiveness and quality of Moldovan products, to grow exports, including by increasing investments into the economic infrastructure, develop a modern agriculture and to create an attractive and motivating environment for investments.

At the same time, dear colleagues,

The government is set to build a society based on the European social model. In this context, the key tasks are: to develop human resources, ensure equal chances for everybody, correctly and fairly redistribute incomes to disadvantaged groups and guarantee to citizen protection against any type of discrimination.

Education is a basic priority, and for this reason, political support will be extremely important to continue reforms under way in this sector. We are obliged to overcome that point, after which a return to the previous situation should no longer  be possible.

In the health area, we will focus on the quality of services provided to citizens. Besides, I will consider the health sector as a personal priority, if you want, of my mandate as prime minister.

In the energy field, we will insist on ensuring the energy independence and giving final touches to the initiated interconnection project, and the regional evolutions make me think that the implementation of these projects will have to be enhanced.

In the social sector, we will face complex and complicated reforms, yet absolutely necessary in order to adjust the labour market to the modern requirements of the economy.

We will start with the adoption, working out a new Labour Code, for which both the trade unions and employers unions spoke out. We will also adjust the list of professions to Moldova’s economic needs, in order to educate and train teachers for the vocational education.

The gradual increase of the minimum salary on the country, which is to lead to an improvement of the social protection of employees with small wages, to diminish motivations for informal employment and increase payments to the state social insurance budget, is our another priority.

We will promote measures to stimulate employees, in order to integrate vulnerable groups on the labour market and provide access to persons at risk to qualitative social services.

The new regulations on way to organise and operate social services, as well as to improve the methodology to provide social aid, by ensuring its directing to the most disadvantaged people, may be included here too.

Dear colleagues, I know that for many of you, the pension system reform is taboo. But – either we admit or not – the demographic and economic realities will oblige us to start reforms in this sector too. The present system fails to reach its main goal – to provide a decent level of incomes to pensioners. Besides, the financial sustainability of the system is put to a hard test.

We want the pension system reform to ensure a bigger pensions and a closer connection between the paid contributions and received benefits. To boost a longer economic activity of people. To remove discrimination and unfair social treatments, and to ensure a better financial stability of the system.

Not trusting the present system, being also guided by a type of financial myopia, many employees do not think about the need to pay the pension contributions. Therefore, the reform has to start with measures of cultivating the people’s trust in the retirement concept and education of a better spirit of social solidarity.

As to migrants, we will focus on providing possibility to transfer the social benefits based on bilateral agreements signed by Moldova. We will also insist on strengthening the national capacities in the area of fighting family violence.

Namely these, in my opinion and in the one of the team I represent, are the basic priorities of development of Moldova. Besides, I am confident that these priorities are shared by absolutely all the sound political forces present in this hall. And the safest way to reach our goals is the European integration.

For this, the government is set to create all necessary premises which, once developed, are to make possible the launch of talks on accession to EU. Therefore, the Association Agreement will be the basis in our activity.

We will turn into results the advantages provided by the Agreement and Free Trade Area, and take as much benefits as possible from the Euro-integration process for our citizens.

Distinguished audience,

‎These were some of the main guiding benchmarks of the government’s action programme – an ambitious programme, yet realistic, a programme that depends on our willingness and especially on the way we will work politically, as well as the stability we will have in the parliament.

The objectives included in this programme meet the citizens’ interests – and I say this fully conversant with the matter, as I paid hundreds of visits to areas and discussed with thousands of people – as well as the requirements of civil society and social partners. At the same time, the programme covers the commitments taken by the Liberal Democratic Party and Democratic Party during the electoral campaign, and I think that – as I said above – these also comply with the commitments of the Liberal Party. At the same time, the programme includes the real needs of the citizens who voted for the Party of Communists and Party of Socialists.

The cabinet, which I present to you, is made up of professionals able to bring Moldova on the European path. I am confident that, thanks to their managerial skills and personal qualities, we will manage to give a fresh impetus to reforms and make the government act more dynamic and qualitative. 

At the same time, I would like to thank, in this context, my colleagues from the former cabinet, with whom we have launched and developed more initiatives for the benefit of Moldova. I am confident that we will cooperate equally efficiently with those who are in the new government, and those who chose to work in the parliament or in other fields.

As for me – and I say it very clear -, I can assume the responsibility for heading only a pro-European government, as I have committed together with the party I am member of, before the voters.

I will observe this commitment till the end, and as prime minister, I will do my best, in order to as soon as possible create a stable political majority, without which we cannot carry out the government’s action programme.

Dear colleagues,

Over the past period, there have been more speculations regarding what is behind the setting up of the present government. Some spread the idea that it is a cabinet masked with Communist colleagues or there is a wish for the first proposal of cabinet to be turned down. The others went with the speculations even further.

I overlooked these intrigues for a very simple reason: I knew that a day will come  when, by our transparent vote, we will show the intentions we have and how each party present in the parliament sees Moldova’s future.

I do not want to believe in occult plans. Instead, I believe in the responsibility of pro-European parties’ colleagues. I believe in our common wish to put an end to this long period of negotiations, to provide Moldova with a functional government and to begin working starting from today, with engines to the maximum.

I came to the parliament along with my colleagues today and I want to leave mobilised, in order to start carrying out the programme I have presented to you.

The final goal of the government act, which we commit to fulfil, is a strong state and which to serve the nation. A state provided with the prospect to become member of the European Union. A state with correct and fair institutions, which act based on the principle of transparency and efficiency. A state where the law works, the justice is made in the citizen’s interest and the public money is spent for the benefit of the public. A state where corruption and crime are fought efficiently and priorities are the citizen’s rights and freedoms, rebuilding the EU spirit and strengthening solidarity.

That being said, I will read the nominal list of cabinet of ministers proposed to you for voting:

Iurie Leanca – Prime Minister

Stephane Christophe Bride – deputy prime minister, economics minister

Natalia Gherman - deputy prime minister, foreign and European integration minister

Victor Osipov - deputy prime minister for reintegration

Anatol Arapu – finance minister

Vladimir Grosu – justice minister

Oleg Balan – interior minister

Viorel Cibotaru – defence minister

Vasile Bîtca – regional development and construction minister

Ion Sula – agriculture and food industry minister

Vasile Botnari – transport and road infrastructure minister

Sergiu Palihovici – environment minister

Maia Sandu – education minister

Monica Babuc – culture minister

Ruxanda Glavan – labour, social protection and family minister

Mircea Buga – health minister 

Serghei Afanasenco – youth and sports minister

Pavel Filip – information technology and communications minister

Thank you!