Vitalie Vrabie exchanges ministerial portfolios

President Vladimir Voronin today has signed two decrees discharging Vitalie Vrabie from the offices of deputy PM and minister of Local Public Administration, and appointing him as minister of Defence. According to the presidential press office, the head of state signed a decree advancing Valentin Guznac from deputy minister to minister of Local Public Administration. The seat of minister of Defence became vacant on July 11 after the dismissal of Valeriu Plesca. Although the president’s office didn’t give details about the deposition, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced that Plesca was dismissed after a civilian was killed during a shooting demonstration where the minister allowed journalists to use automatic rifles. The results of the investigation into the casualty haven’t been made public yet.