Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat, who heads the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM), has slipped in the rankings of the most influential Moldovan politicians compiled monthly by the Center for Political Analysis and Consultancy “Politicon”. After holding the lead for two years, Vlad Filat fell to the second position in the May rankings and to the third in the June rankings. The data were presented in a news conference at IPN. The rankings for June are headed by Prime Minister Iurie Leanca. The PLDM is the leader among the most influential parties, IPN reports.
“Politicon” head Anatol Taranu said Vlad Filat loses positions as he no longer holds a high-ranking administrative post and this affects his capacity to influence the political decision-making process in Moldova. However, he will remain among the top politicians because he manages the main ruling party.
He also said that Iurie Leanca climbed to the top because he has the necessary leverage to be among the most influential politicians. He is followed by Head of Parliament Igor Corman, who is among the top ten most influential politicians for the first time.
The fourth position is taken by the leader of the Communist Party (PCRM) Vladimir Voronin. Anatol Taranu said the chairman of the PCRM heads the largest opposition party and thus ranks among the top ten politicians.
President Nicolae Timofti and Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca were placed the fifth and, respectively, the sixth. The seventh spot is occupied by the first deputy chairman of the PDM Vlad Plahotniuc. He is followed by the leader of the parliamentary group of the PLDM Valeriu Strelet. Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman climbed 18 spots to the ninth. Deputy Speaker Adrian Candu comes tenth.
The leaders of the Liberal Party (PL) and the Democratic Party (PDM) Mihai Ghimpu and Marian Lupu are no longer among the top ten. “If one does not take part in governance, their decisional capacity is very low. The real political power is in the hands of the politicians who are governing,” explained Anatol Taranu.
As regards the most influential political parties, the deputy head of “Politicon” Ion Tabarta said the PLDM tops the list, being followed by the PCRM and PDM. The Liberal reformers ranked fourth and are followed by the PL headed by Mihai Ghimpu. The People’s Movement “Antimafie” takes the sixth position, while the Party of Socialists the seventh. The National Liberal Party came eighth, the Social-Democratic Party – ninth, while the People’s Party of the Republic of Moldova – tenth.
The rankings were compiled with the assistance of 33 experts who assessed the politicians by their influence on major decisions, public popularity and visibility in the mass media.
