Ion Sturza has been appointed Premier in Republic of Moldova by President Nicolae Timofti.
“Not all factions have expressed support for him, but I hope they will revise their options,” the head of state said when presenting the premier designate on Monday.
The nomination of a candidate outside the political parties seems a war statement from President Timofti against oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc (leader of the Democrat Party – PD) which allegedly aims the prime minister position, hotnews.ro reports.
Political arithmetic show Sturza’s cabinet stands slim chances to get the confidence vote. It is supposedly supported by PLDM (the party of former PM Vlad Filat, currently under remand) and maybe by PL (the liberals led by Mihai Ghimpu and Dorin Chirtoaca) – far away from the target of 51 ballots needed. PD (Plahotniuc-Lupu) has taken a negative position as well as the pro-Russian parties led by Igor Dodon and Renato Usatai.
Nevertheless, 14 deputies from the Communist Party have announced on Monday they leave the party. Marian Lupu, the leader of PD, has said he would carry out negotiations with the deputies to form a parliamentary majority. It remains to be seen if this evolution means support or opposition for Ion Sturza in his attempt to become prime minister for the second time.
After the appointment, Sturza stated: “I want a government made up by professionals, upright people, with no connections with the parties. We will sing an integrity code.”
Ion Sturza, 55, was born in Calarasi District, R. of Moldova, has graduated the faculty of Economy in Chisinau. In 1998 he was elected deputy and then appointed vice-premier and Minister of Economy. He was designated premier in 1999, a position he held until the end of the year.
He was business partner of Dinu Patriciu and both had set up in 2002, together with Rompetrol, the company Rompetrol Moldova, where he was President Director General. He is considered the one who has brought KazMunaiGaz as Rompetrol’s shareholder.
His wealth is estimated, according to Forbes and Capital, to EUR 90 million. Currently he is Honorary Consul of R. of Moldova in Kazakhstan.
Sturza is President of Fribourg Investments, the company owning Elefant.ro. It is a private equity and venture capital investment fund headquartered in Bucharest, operating in Eastern Europe and in the Community of Independent States (CIS).