PM Vlad Filat and Labor Minister Valentina Buliga vacate seats of MP

Prime Minister Vlad Filat, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and MP, announced his decision to quit the legislative seat at Friday’s sitting of the Parliament, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I decided to vacate the seat of MP as I want to dedicate more time to the premiership and administer the Government more efficiently,” Filat said, adding he will attend the February 26 sitting, when the Parliament will examine his decision. Asked why he made such a decision now, if the law on the status of MP allows holding two positions simultaneously by April this year, Vlad Filat said his presence in the Parliament is not so necessary at present and the future is now clearer. Immediately after Filat made the announcement, Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga, of the Democratic Party, said she took a similar decision. Vlad Filat will be replaced by the substitute candidate Ion Ionas, while Valentina Buliga – most probably by Oazu Nantoi. Asked what will do the other ministers in the Filat Government who are simultaneously MPs, Filat said they will make a decision themselves. Nine members of the present Parliament hold simultaneously the post of minister, including Premier Vlad Filat.