The government in Chișinău has only 3 days since inauguration, and on Friday, the first resignation has already appeared.
The Minister of Agriculture, Radu Musteață, has resigned, even though yesterday Prime Minister Vasile Tofan publicly supported him in the scandal related to his proximity to Vladimir Plahotniuc.
Vasile Tofan announced on Friday that he accepted Minister Musteață's resignation.
"Radu Musteață, the Minister of Agriculture, submitted his resignation today, which I have accepted. It was a personal decision, a gesture of responsibility, taken to protect public trust in the Government and in the act of governance," the Prime Minister stated.
Tofan specified that the Ministry of Agriculture's activities will continue without interruption, and a new minister will be appointed in the shortest time possible, as reported by deschide.md.
In turn, Radu Musteață stated that he decided to resign in order not to affect the Government's activities and the implementation of the assumed reforms.
"The Government has to ensure in the immediate future a series of important and complex reforms necessary for the well-being of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, and in order to maintain confidence, I considered it a gesture of responsibility to resign from my mandate. The professionalism and integrity I demonstrate should not be tarnished and eroded by false and manipulative information. I thank everyone for their support, appreciation, and encouragement," the former minister conveyed.
The resignation comes just one day after the Prime Minister stated that there were no reasons for Musteață's dismissal, in the context of information circulating in the public space regarding his alleged membership in the former Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM).
At that time, Vasile Tofan stated that the minister denied being a member of the PDM and that the Executive would not make decisions based on unverified accusations, but warned that action would be taken if evidence contradicting his statements were to emerge.
The scandal erupted after the publication of photographs and information suggesting that Radu Musteață was a member of the former PDM, a party previously led by the fugitive oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc.
Although the minister denied the information, the European Social Democratic Party (PSDE), the rightful successor of the PDM, confirmed to TVR Moldova that Musteață was a member of the Ciocana territorial organization and held the position of president of a party organization.
Following these revelations, several political analysts and representatives of the ruling PAS party argued that if his affiliation with the former PDM is confirmed, the minister should resign.