Former Prime Minister Ion Sturza heads the list of top 20 possible candidates for the post of President of Moldova, which was compiled at the suggestion of the Political Consultancy and Strategic Research Center “Politicon”. Ion Sturza is followed by Premier Vlad Filat and Acting President Marian Lupu. The list was made public in a news conference on November 25, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to “Politicon” expert Ion Tabirta, Deputy Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman ranks fourth. The fifth position is taken by program director at the Public Policy Institute Oazu Nantoi, while the sixth by the president of honor of the PDM, MP Dumitru Diacov. The Moldovan Ambassador to the U.S. Igor Munteanu comes seventh, while the executive director of the Association for Participative Democracy “Adept” Igor Botan – eighth. Ex-lawmaker Vasile Nedelchuk, who heads the Board of Directors of “Endava” company, ranks ninth, while the people’s artist, composer Eugen Doga – tenth. The other positions are taken by: 11. the first deputy head of the PL, MP Ion Hadirca, 12. MP Zinaida Greceanyi, 13. the president of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova Gheorghe Duca, 14. former Minister of Culture Ion Ungureanu, 15. Moldova’s former Ambassador to the U.S. Nicolae Chirtoaca, 16. the rector of the Technical University of Moldova Ion Bostan, 17. the head of the PL Mihai Ghimpu, 18. the Constitutional Court judge Dumitru Pulbere, 19. the chairman of the Center for Culture Support and Development Mihai Muntean, and 20. the president of honor of the Writers Union of Moldova, writer Ion Druta. “Politicon” head Anatol Taranu said the fact that Ion Sturza ranked first is relatively surprising, though explicable. “We must admit that Ion Sturza has qualities that are absolutely necessary for a head of state. The economic independence is the first quality. This means that he will not depend on the oligarchic groups existing in Parliament,” said Anatol Taranu. He stressed that Ion Sturza is able to mediate the interminable conflicts between the political leaders. But this quality can put him in a disadvantageous position as the politicians, knowing that he promotes his principles rather toughly, will not want to vote for him. As to Natalia Gherman, Anatol Taranu said that she may occupy such a high post as general public regards her as a possible candidate. “Natalia Gherman remains a very serious candidate who can and should be examined by the politicians if they decide to select an apolitical candidate,” he stated. The list was produced with the assistance of 31 experts who gave grades of 0 to 10 to the 20 possible candidates for the presidency, assessing their moral and professional qualities, the political experience and the ability to solve conflict situations. The experts were also able to propose candidates who weren’t included in the list of 20 possible candidates.