Moldova’s pro-European President Maia Sandu on Saturday nominated businessman Vasile Tofan as prime minister to replace Alexandru Munteanu, who resigned over differences with the ruling majority. In a social media video, Sandu said Tofan’s first responsibility, if his candidacy is approved by parliament, should be to move the country forward on its path of “integration” into the European Union. He should also “strengthen the resilience of state institutions and society,” and “revive the economy,” she added.
Background of the Nomination
Tofan now has two weeks to secure the backing of parliament, to which he has to submit his program for government and his ministerial nominations. The businessman had been mentioned as a possible prime minister last year even before Munteanu was appointed. Igor Grosu, who heads Sandu’s Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) which won parliamentary elections in September, announced on Friday that he had chosen him as his candidate. Grosu said he shared “the same objectives” as Tofan, namely “EU accession in the years to come, institutional reform and economic growth.”
Profile of Vasile Tofan
Harvard Business School graduate Tofan, who turns 44 on Sunday, has a degree in public management from the Netherlands and is a managing partner at Horizon Capital, a private equity firm focusing on Ukraine and Moldova. He has also chaired the board of directors of Moldova’s Purcari winery. His business background and pro-European stance align with Sandu’s vision for Moldova’s future.
Previous Prime Minister's Resignation
Munteanu, another businessman who like Sandu previously worked at the World Bank, had been chosen to boost the economy and bring it closer to the EU. But he resigned on July 3 after less than eight months, explaining that he could no longer carry out his mandate “according to (his) principles and (his) convictions.” His departure highlighted ongoing political tensions despite the PAS majority.
EU Integration Context
The EU last month officially launched a first round of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, underscoring the urgency for Chisinau to maintain reform momentum. Tofan’s nomination is seen as a strategic move to reassure Brussels of Moldova’s commitment to European integration, even as internal political challenges persist.
