Moldovan PM in parliament says intends to be prime minister who unites country, has courage to implement necessary reforms

Vasile Tofan has said that he intends to be a prime minister who unites Moldova, moves the country forward and has the courage to implement the necessary reforms. The statement was made today in Parliament, before the deputies’ vote on the new government led by Vasile Tofan.

The official stressed that, during his term, he would defend the interests of all citizens and will not be “the Government of a party”. In this context, the prime minister sent a message of unity, in order to solve citizens’ problems through joint efforts and to deliver results.

“I listened carefully to all speeches. I want to assure you, I did not do it just to check a box, I did not do it pretending to listen, I really listened and, more importantly, I tried to hear. Everything I saw today, I think, confirms that we live in a divided society. Indeed, our society is very divided. If there is something I can do together with our team to bring people closer to each other, we should make sure that we all look forward and see more the solutions than the problems between us. I will truly be a government that I very much hope will enjoy the trust of the PAS faction. I heard the opinion of the opposition factions that you will not support this government and I respect this position. All I want to say is that I do not intend to be the government of a party. I understand that, if I am voted in, I have the responsibility to defend the interests of all Moldovans, regardless of which party they voted for, what position they have towards the government that I may represent, what they think about one reform or another. Whatever happens, I want to be a prime minister who unites this country, who pushes this country forward, who has the courage to embark on reforms, including unpopular ones,” said Vasile Tofan.

Vasile Tofan emphasized that everything that would be implemented by the new government would be done “with selflessness, with integrity and with the desire to push Moldova forward”.

“I am not coming here to build a political career. I say this very honestly. I do not intend to dedicate my life to politics. I want to see this term through to the end and then look back at it and feel proud of what has been achieved. I am confident that there will also be many things that we will not manage to accomplish. But there is one thing I can promise you. Everything we do, we will do with selflessness, with integrity and with the desire to push Moldova forward. Thank you very much. God help us and may we succeed,” concluded Vasile Tofan.

The government led by Vasile Tofan received the parliament’s vote of confidence this evening. The draft decision was supported by 53 deputies from the Action and Solidarity Party faction, after a meeting that lasted more than nine hours. Vasile Tofan said that the priorities of the new cabinet would focus on accelerating economic growth, efficiency and advancing the European integration process.

The vote of confidence was granted after a sitting of more than nine hours, during which, for one hour, Vasile Tofan presented the activity programme of the new government, after which he answered deputies’ questions for more than five hours. Subsequently, 28 deputies took the floor.

The official swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet of ministers, headed by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, who received today the parliament’s vote of confidence, will take place at the headquarters of Moldova's Presidency on July 22 at 08:00. The members of the government will take the oath before President Maia Sandu. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu will also attend the ceremony.