The appointment of Eugen Sturza as minister of defense by temporarily suspending the Head of State from office is a dangerous precedent for the Republic of Moldova, said invitees of the program “Key issue” on NTV Moldova channel, IPN reports.

Socialist MP Bogdan Tardea said this is a dangerous precedent because the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova does not provide that the President should accept a candidate of which he does not approve. “Article 98 of the Constitution, which is entitled “Investiture”, says that if changes occur in the Cabinet, the President dismisses and names some members of the Cabinet at the suggestion of the Prime Minister. It does not say that the President is obliged,” stated the MP.

Journalist Igor Volnitski also said that a dangerous precedent was set when the President elected by the people can be ranked second and problems that are within his remit can be solved without his assistance. He noted he carried out an analysis and established that about 20% of the provisions of the legislation on national security fall under the President’s remit.

According to him, the Head of State will make use of these laws and a conflict situation will anytime appear.

Eugen Sturza was invested minister of defense on October 24 following the signing of the appointment decree by Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu, who held office of President on an interim basis. It was possible after the Constitutional Court interpreted the situation with the President’s refusal to appoint the candidate for minister of defense proposed by the Premier the second time.