PRESIDENT DODON AGAIN DECLINES CANDIDACY FOR DEFENSE MINISTER

Moldovan President Igor Dodon has repeatedly rejected the Government-proposed candidate for the minister of defense. On Tuesday, the head of state published this news on his Facebook page by posting his official letter to the Government.

“As I promised earlier, I have once again declined the candidature of Eugen Sturza for the defense minister’s post. I shall not agree to such proposal of yours under whatever circumstances. I realize that the Filip Government is now inventing procedures so as to involve the Constitutional Court again into the Cabinet’s political combinations. But may I draw your attention to one thing: the Constitutional Court cannot be endlessly drawing scenarios suiting the ruling coalition”, wrote Igor Dodon.

He warned that if only the Constitutional Court tries to exclude the president from the procedure of appointing ministers and again begins to juggle with the law in the ruling coalition’s favor, the Court will finally discredit itself and will be inevitably brought to responsibility when its hour comes.

“As a head of state, I cannot agree to appoint the incompetent and politicized candidate to the defense minister’s post. Any attempt to appoint a minister without a presidential decree shall be outside the law, and such a “minister” will be illegal. Such a person will not be recognized by the president or the army or citizens. The honor of a general will not permit the military to agree to serve under a fake minister appointed non-constitutionally”, wrote Igor Dodon.

Last week, the DP-led ruling coalition proposed the candidacy of civilian Eugen Sturza, 36, for the essential post. President Dodon rejected that candidate and proposed the candidacy of a genuine professional, Brigadier General Victor Gaiciuc, an ex-minister of defense [2001-2004], Moldova’s former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgium and the republic’s Permanent Representative at NATO [2005-2009]. But Premier Filip repeatedly proposed Eugen Sturza, stated that he would be insisting on that candidate, and reminded that the president must fulfill his Constitution-prescribed duties. Otherwise, Filip warned, the Parliament will restrict the president’s plenary powers.

According to the law, the president appoints and dismisses ministers of government on the motions made by the prime minister. If the premier puts forward the same candidacy that was already rejected by the president, then the head of state must sign an appointment decree.