CHISINAU — Moldovan President Maia Sandu has tapped Deputy Prime Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu, a former international financial official, to serve as the country’s acting prime minister. The appointment, formalized through a presidential decree, takes effect Wednesday.
Osmochescu steps into the role following the sudden departure of Alexandru Munteanu, who resigned last Friday. Munteanu stated that he was no longer able to perform his duties in a manner consistent with his personal convictions.
In addition to serving as deputy prime minister, Osmochescu currently holds the position of minister of economic development and digitalization. Before entering government service, he worked at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector division of the World Bank.
Munteanu offered his support for his successor in a Facebook post, writing: “I would like to thank him for taking on this responsibility and wish him every success in this mission.”
President Sandu had told reporters on Friday that she planned to consult with parliamentary factions during the week to identify a replacement for Munteanu. Her pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity holds a majority in the country’s 101-seat parliament.
Munteanu had originally been appointed following September’s parliamentary election, in which the party decisively defeated a Russia-leaning rival to secure a new governing mandate.
On Wednesday, Osmochescu will preside over a government meeting. The current cabinet is continuing to function in a caretaker capacity until parliament formally appoints a new government.
