The internal differences that appeared within the Liberal Democratic Party are related to the negotiations on the formation of a new coalition government. This is how experts at a talk-show on TV7 commented on rumors in the media that Vlad Filat was going to step down as president of the party.
Anatol Taranu, of the political consultancy firm “Politicon”, thinks the reports that have appeared in some media outlets “are rumors deliberately spread by enemies of the PLDM”. According to Taranu, there are certain internal disagreements within the party that are due to the distribution of some posts. “According to the information in my possession, Vlad Filat as the leader of the party with the largest number of votes among the pro-European coalition, tried to secure the post of Speaker. As the Democratic Party also seeks this office, Filat tried to negotiate with the Democrats the Prime Minister portfolio. So, the differences inside the PLDM appeared between Filat's and Iurie Leanca's men. Now Filat is in a complicated position. If he doesn't keep his promise to nominate Iurie Leanca for Prime Minister, there will be a split in the party. PLDM's survival depends on how they can stay united and how Leanca and Filat are able to work together”.
Lawyer Pavel Midrigan, a former member of the Central Election Commission, says he doesn't think Filat will give up PLDM's chairmanship after investing so much in this party. “It's natural that differences may appear during negotiations, because distributing portfolios is not an easy task. The Liberals seem not so much interested in portfolios, they just want endorsement for Dorin Chirtoaca's mayoral campaign next year”.
Constitutional law expert Vitalie Catana agrees that Filat's resignation as party chief is nothing more than a rumor. “Filat promised he would nominate Leanca for Prime Minister and he has an obligation before the electorate to deliver”.
