Diplomat Andrei Popov vacated the post of member of the National Political Council of the Democratic Party (PDM). In a news conference on December 31, Popov said he decided to leave this post for a number of reasons, including because of the PDM’s decision to support the no-confidence motion against the Strelet Government, which was put forward by the Party of Socialists, without consulting the party’s National Political Council, IPN reports.
Andrei Popov said that before taking the decision to vote the no-confidence motion, the National Political Council of the PDM was to be convened so that its members were consulted. Moreover, if the Democrats considered that the Strelet Cabinet deserved to be dismissed, they should have submitted a relevant initiative themselves and shouldn’t have supported the Socialists’ initiative.
The diplomat also said that some of his colleagues impute statements that he actually didn’t make to him. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of communication with the party’s leader Marian Lupu, despite the many attempts he made in this regard. “We haven’t communicated for two months. I was informed that Mister Lupu gave his consent for my possible recalling from Vienna over statements that I didn’t make,” said Popov.
The official denied the rumors that he was proposed for the post of Prime Minister, saying he never discussed this issue with the party’s administration. As to Vlad Plahotniuc’ candidacy, Popov said this has many managerial and organizational skills, but he is not a public persons and is not the party’s leader. There shouldn’t be two leaders in a party and it is Marian Lupu who should be suggested for Prime Minister, or Vlad Plahotniuc should come and manage the PDM.
Andrei Popov joined the PDM in 2009. Since November 2009 until August 2013, Popov has been deputy minister of foreign affairs in the Government headed by Iurie Leanca. He then renounced the seat of MP and focused on his diplomatic career. In 2013, Popov was named Moldova’s Ambassador to Austria.
