The legislative body took cognizance of the resignation tendered by 12 MPs. Seven of them renounced the seat of MP in favor of the post of minister, IPN reports.

These are ministers Natalia Gherman, Oleg Balan and Maia Sandu of the Liberal-Democratic faction, and Vasile Batca, Vasile Botnari, Monica Babuc and Pavel Filip of the Democratic faction.

In Parliament, they will be replaced by the Lib-Dems Petru Stirbate, Maria Ciobanu and Ion Balan, who served as MPs in the previous legislature as well, and by the Democrats Efrosinia Gretu (head of the Leova District Council), Eugeniu Nichiforciuc (doctor), Nicolae Molozea (economist), and Vladimir Andronachi (corporate sales manager).

The other five MPs who renounced their seats are Grigore Belostecinic (PLDM), Ion Tomai (PCRM) and the Liberals Dorin Chirtoaca, Mihai Moldovanu, and Veronica Herta.

The substitute candidate on the PLDM’s list is Aliona Gota (mayor of Cucoara village of Cahul district). Elena Gudumac (teacher) will join the Communist faction, while the Liberals will be substituted by Mihaela Iacob (deputy head of the General Division of Architecture, Urbanism and Land Relations of the Chisinau City Hall), Ion Casian (lawyer) and Vladimir Cernat (administrator). Contacted by IPN by phone, all the five substitute candidates confirmed they are ready to serve as MPs.

Under Article 70 of the Constitution, the seat of MP is incompatible with any other paid post, except for teaching and scientific activity.