Moldova court again suspends president's appointment powers
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 September 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldova court again suspends president's appointment powers, 24 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5c34a676a.html [accessed 24 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
2018-09-24
By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service
Moldovan President Igor Dodon
CHISINAU – The Moldovan Constitutional Court has suspended the powers of the country's Russia-friendly president amid a standoff over ministerial appointments with his opponents in Chisinau's pro-Western government.
The court ruled on September 24 that President Igor Dodon's powers be suspended because he failed to approve the candidates put forward by Prime Minister Pavel Filip's for the minister of health care, social protection, and family, and the minister of agriculture, regional development, and environmental protection.
With Dodon suspended, the parliament speaker or Filip will be able to sign the decrees appointing the two ministers.
Dodon's spokesman, Maksim Lebedinschi, accused the Constitutional Court of being an "instrument in the political fight."
Under Moldovan law, the president is allowed to turn down a nominee for a ministerial post proposed by the prime minister only once.
If the same candidate is nominated again, the president is obliged to endorse the appointment.
It is the fourth time that Dodon has had his presidential powers suspended for refusing to approve government-proposed candidates for ministers or promulgate laws passed by parliament.
Dodon is frequently at odds with Filip and his government, which favors closer ties with the EU and the United States.
With reporting by AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
