For the first time since the rankings of the most influential politicians in Moldova have been compiled, two women entered the top ten politicians. Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman ranked fourth, while Minister of Education Maia Sandu came fifth.
In a news conference at IPN, Ion Tabarta, deputy head of the Institute for Political Analysis and Consultancy “Politicon”, which compiles the rankings, said that Prime Minister Iurie Leanca comes first, followed by the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Vlad Filat and Speaker Igor Corman.
The sixth position is taken by President Nicolae Timofti. Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca ranks seventh, followed by the leader of the Communist Party Vladimir Voronin, Democratic lawmaker Vlad Plahotniuc and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Eugen Carpov.
“Politicon” head Anatol Taranu said that Premier Iurie Leanca holds the lead owing to the results achieved in the recent meetings with foreign officials and to his successful foreign policy. The leader of the PLDM Vlad Filat remains high in the rankings because of his achievements during the three years as Premier and of the European People’s Party Summit of EaP Heads of State and Government that the party staged in Chisinau.
As to the positions of the two women ministers, Anatol Taranu said Natalia Gherman had an impeccable performance during the last visits paid abroad, while Maia Sandu increased her political score swiftly, but is unlikely to maintain her position in the future period.
President Nicolae Timofti preserved the position, while Dorin Chirtoaca fell slightly owing to fact that the Liberal Party of which he is a member lost the levers of power. Vladimir Plahotniuc continues to be among the top ten politicians even if he does not have important positions and this shows that he indeed has influence and power.
The rankings are compiled monthly with the assistance of experts who give grades to the politicians depending on their real influence, visibility in the media and political prospects.
