Ex-minister of education Maia Sandu, who recently announced the creation of the Action and Solidarity Party, tops the 2015 rankings of the most influential politicians compiled by the Institute for Political Research and Consultancy “Politicon”. Compared with 2014, Maia Sandu climbed eight spots. In 2014, she was placed close to the end of the Top 10 rankings, IPN reports.

Businessman, ex-Premier and ex-candidate for premiership Ion Sturza ranks second, while President Nicolae Timofti takes the third position. Head of Parliament Andrian Candu is placed fourth. He is followed by the acting chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Valeriu Strelet, the first deputy head of the Democratic Party Vlad Plahotniuc and the leader of the Party of Socialists Igor Dodon.

The head of the Party “Dignity and Truth” Andrei Nastase comes eighth, the chairman of the “Our Party” Renato Usatyi – ninth, while the member of the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth” Igor Botan - tenth.

“Politicon” also published the 2015 rankings of the Top 10 most influential parties. The rankings are topped by the Party of Socialists, which is followed by the Democratic Party, the “Our Party”, the Liberal Democratic Party, the Liberal Party, and the European People’s Party of Moldova.

The Party of Communists ranks seventh, the People’s Force Party, which merged with the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth” and was renamed the Party “Dignity and Truth”, comes eighth, the People’s Party of the Republic of Moldova is placed ninth, while the National Liberal Party comes tenth.

“Politicon” compiled the rankings with the assistance of 27 experts who assessed the performance and real influence of the politicians and parties.