Following the resignation of Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, the new government formed in Moldova received a vote of confidence from parliament. In the vote held in the 101-seat legislature, the cabinet led by Vasile Tofan was approved with the support of 53 deputies.
New Prime Minister Vasile Tofan outlined his economic goals in his inaugural speech. Tofan said they plan to reduce the country's budget deficit by 2 percent and increase budget revenues by 2 percent by 2029. He also emphasized that they would reform the tax and justice systems and oppose partisanship in appointments to state enterprises.
Tofan also touched on foreign policy issues. He stated that they prefer a path of peaceful rapprochement with the Transnistria region, which unilaterally declared independence from Moldova. His remarks on the Gagauz Autonomous Region drew particular attention. Tofan, who said he would visit the region and meet with Gagauz representatives, stated: 'The Gagauz Autonomous Region has great potential for building an important bridge with Turkey. I think the potential of relations with Turkey is not being utilized. Thanks to the Gagauz Autonomous Region, we can get closer to Turkey.'
However, Tofan underlined that the Gagauz Autonomous Region is part of Moldova and must comply with the country's laws. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu also congratulated the new cabinet and wished them success.
In the new government, 10 ministers retained their posts while 4 new names took ministerial seats. Mihai Popșoi will continue as Foreign Minister, Anatolie Nosatîi as Defense Minister, Eugen Osmochescu as Economy and Digitalization Minister, Vladimir Bolea as Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister, Daniella-Misail Nichitin as Interior Minister, Dorin Junghietu as Energy Minister, Dan Perciun as Education and Research Minister, Natalia Plugaru as Labor and Social Security Minister, Vladislav Cojuhari as Justice Minister, and Gheorghe Hajder as Environment Minister. Victoria Belous was appointed Finance Minister, Alexandru Gasnaș Health Minister, Radu Musteață Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, and Dan Suruceanu Culture Minister.
Born in 1982, Vasile Tofan earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands and a master's in business administration from Harvard Business School in the United States. Coming from the business world, Tofan is known as the founder of the 'Europe 2028' civic movement, which supports Moldova's integration into the European Union.
Previous Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigned on July 3, having had deep disagreements with the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). President Maia Sandu had approved Tofan's nomination as the new prime minister.
