Deputy Minister Igor Panfile will work as acting Minister of Defense until a new minister is designated, IPN has learned from the presidential press service.

President Nicolae Timofti signed a decree to discharge Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta and to name an acting minister.

Marinuta tendered his resignation on February 27, after the meeting of the Ministry’s Board that was attended by the head of state. The next day Marinuta gave a news conference, saying he resigned because the President criticized the views on the Ministry’s reformation and requested transferring a part of the control powers from the civil minister to the army’s commander.