Vlad Filat remains most influential politician, with Lupu and Chirtoaca changing places

Prime Minister Vlad Filat tops the rankings of the 50 most influential politicians of Moldova in August as well, while Mayor General of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca fell one spot from the second, being replaced by Acting President Marian Lupu. The rankings are compiled monthly by the Center of Strategic Researches and Political Consultancy “Politicon”. “Premier Vlad Filat stays firm on his position and continues to head the rankings of the most influential politicians. The advertising model used by him is successful and he outshines the rest of the politicians,” “Politicon” head Anatol Taranu said in a news conference held at Info-Prim Neo on September 5. Anatol Taranu said that Dorin Chirtoaca is one of the Moldovan politicians with great prospects, while Vladimir Voronin, who now ranks seventh, slips slowly, but firmly. Among the top ten most influential politicians appeared the Governor of Gagauzia Mihail Formuzal, Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta and the head of the Liberal parliamentary group Ion Hadarca. “The governor of Gagauzia made the most spectacular climb owing to his sensational statements about the official language. Formuzal has been active lately, but will disappear from the rankings if he stops at these statements,” said Anatol Taranu. Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca, Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu, vice chairman of the Democratic Party Vladimir Plahotniuc and chairman of the Communist Party Vladimir Voronin remained on the same positions – fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. The rankings were produced with the assistance of 27 experts who used the following criteria to assess the politicians: the level of real influence on the major political decisions taken in the country, public popularity, visibility in the mass media, and the political prospects.