Moldovan president starts consultations with parliamentary factions to nominate candidate for premier office

Chisinau, 9 November /MOLDPRES/ - President Nicolae Timofti today started consultations with parliamentary factions, in order to nominate a prime minister. PMs from the factions of the Liberal Party (PL), Democratic Party (PDM) and Party of Communists (PCRM) took part in the meeting. The lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party's (PLDM) faction asked for a re-scheduling of the meeting for another day, while the MPs of the Party of Socialists (PSRM) refused to participate. 

The Liberal MPs were the first to take part in the meeting with the head of state. The Liberals reiterated the fact that they would opt only for a a pro-European alliance with the participation of PLDM. "The situation is precarious and we are on the eve of winter. PLDM should put aside its anger, as there is no alternative. Today evening, we will meet for new discussions," PL leader Mihai Ghimpu said.  

The Democrats' leader, Marian Lupu, showed optimism, stressing that the talks on the creation of a new ruling coalition would continue with the PL MPs and the lawmakers of the group led by Iurie Leanca, so that a political agreement be developed till later this week. Lupu said that he had signals from some PLDM MPs, who wanted to participate in the governing. "We resume discussions with PL and the Leanca group. It is desirable that we have a political accord till the end of this week. Under this commitment, we will propose that the parties, as well as lawmakers individually come and sign. Next week, following the debates, we should be able to come up with a candidature for the office of prime minister," Marian Lupu said.   

At the end of the consultations with the president, PCRM MP Artur Resetnicov said the Communists had proposed that Nicolae Timofti identified a professional government that was to work in the interests of the citizens. Resetnicov avoided to say whether PCRM would vote for such a cabinet and neither he wanted to say whether the Communists would take part in the talks with PDM, PL and the lawmakers of the group led by Iurie Leanca. 

The parliamentary faction of the Party of Socialists said, in a press release, that it would not participate in the consultations, as it considered that "the only solution to overcome the crisis faced by Moldova represent the snap parliamentary elections." 

(Reporter A. Zara, editor M. Jantovan)