Prime Minister Vlad Filat is once again top of the pile in the “50 most influentil politicians in Moldova”, after being second to the Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca for two months. Interim President Marian Lupu completes the top three, Info-Prim Neo reports. The ranking is commissioned by the Center of Strategic Research and Political Consulting Politicon. 26 political experts, analysts and sociologists monthly rate the politicians with marks from 0 to 10. Vlad Filat (PLDM) got 15 marks of 10 and gathered 240 points out of 260 possible. Chirtoaca got six top marks and obtained 216 points. Marian Lupu amassed 208 points, with seven top marks. Vlad Filat’s lowest mark was 6. Chirtoaca received a 6 as well, but got an even worse one – a 4. Marian Lupu’s lowest ratings are 2 and 4. The next three positions are occupied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca (PLDM), PL leader Mihai Ghimpu and First Deputy Speaker Vlad Plahotniuc (PDM). PCRM leader Vladimir Voronin was ranked 7th, followed by his party colleague Igor Dodon. The latter dropped three positions since last month. “Vlad Filat will remain on top, but Dorin Chirtoaca will gradually lose points because, unlike during the election campaign, now he has to focus on his administrative function rather than on the political one. Voronin drops in the rankings because his presence is less felt in the Parliament and the PCRM mayoral candidate Igor Dodon lost the elections in Chisinau”, said Politicon head Anatol Taranu at a press conference on Tuesday, August 2. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar (PDM) and PDM’s honorary president Dumitru Diacov complete the top 10. According to Anatol Taranu, the fact that PDM has 4 representatives in the top 10 speaks a lot about the party’s quality and influence. The biggest leap was that of PLDM parliamentarian Veaceslav Ionita, who was ranked 13th, but was only the 26th last month. Valeriu Strelet, leader of PLDM’s parliamentary faction, moved up to the 11th position, a significant rise compared to last month’s 22nd place. Governor of Gagauzia Mihai Formuzal moved from 38th to 25th. Constitutional Court judge Alexandru Tanase and MP Mihai Godea have maintained their positions in the top 25 for several months already. “The ranking will mostly remain unchanged in August, when there aren’t too many events and politicians are on holiday and less present in public”, concluded Anatol Taranu. The 50 politicians were selected from a list of 100 participants, updated monthly. The bottom 10, who gather fewer points, are removed and replaced with new people.