PRESIDENT DODON DECLINES TWO MINISTERIAL CANDIDACIES PROPOSED BY PREMIER FILIP

Moldovan President Igor Dodon has rejected the two ministerial candidacies proposed by Prime Minister Pavel Filip as two new members of his Government, the head of state announced speaking on the local television last night.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dodon signed presidential decrees on discharging the Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Protection and the Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection. The Premier proposed to fill these vacancies with the incumbent Director of the MoA Agency for Interventions and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) Nicolae Ciubuc and with former Chisinau Acting Mayor Silvia Radu.

"I've sent a letter to the Prime Minister explaining the reasons of my refusal to approve the two candidates. They are not fit for the posts proposed to them. The Government must be staffed with professionals and not with political party appointees. It seems to me that our Democrats were good Leninists in the past. Now they have decided to put into life one of Lenin's postulates - that every housewife is able to govern a country. I agree with some of Lenin's postulates, but not with this one", said the President.

Dodon stressed that every person should do what they have been trained to do.

"I have said once that Silvia Radu is a good specialist. I don't know what she is by her education - an energy engineer or what, or what she did in Union Fenosa [Silvia Radu was President of the Gas Natural Fenosa Moldova for 7.5 years until December 2015. The company's previous name is Union Fenosa Moldova and this is the country's major electricity distribution company]. So, let her focus on this. Why should she meddle in the public health? A head of the health sector should at least be able to differentiate between paracetamol and aspirin. Nothing personal, but I believe that each economy segment should be headed and directed by a profiled professional. That's why my main argument concerning Silvia Radu is: she has no professional qualities for the medicine sphere", stressed President Dodon.

As for Nicolae Ciubuc, who is the President's fellow-villager, "I have big questions concerning his integrity", said Dodon.

"I've given a negative reply on this candidacy, too. If the Prime Minister proposes the same candidacies once again, we will present our opinion within maximum 1-2 days so as not to delay the process. My stance is clear: I shall not approve these candidates. So, now the ball is on the Government's half. Let's hear what they say tomorrow", said Igor Dodon.