13 public servants leave jobs to electioneer

Starting February 11, three deputy premiers, six ministers, two deputy ministers and two heads of governmental agencies (Moldsilva and the Licensing Chamber) have suspended their positions for the pre-election period ending on April 5. All those 13 officials run on the Communists' (PCRM) list for the parliament. Roman Cazan, a deputy head of the Government's Chancellery, has told Info-Prim Neo that, under the Election Code, the ministers and the agency chiefs are obliged to temporarily leave their jobs after they are registered as electoral competitors. Premier Zinaida Greceana inked ordinances suspending first deputy premier Igor Dodon (economy minister), deputy premier Andrei Stratan (foreign minister), health minister Larisa Catrinici, education minister Larisa Savga, social protection minister Galina Balmos, agriculture minister Anatolie Gorodenco, ecology minister Violeta Ivanov, reintegration minister Vasilii Sova, Licensing Chamber head Zinaida Chistruga and Moldsilva agency head Anatolie Popusoi. They will be replaced by their deputies. Vice premier Victor Stepaniuc has applied for a vacation to be able to electioneer. The same was done by economy deputy minister Iurie Munteanu, while constructions deputy minister Vasile Ursu has applied to be suspended, although not expressly required by the Election Code. Zinaida Greceanai stays to act as a prime minister.