Anca-Dana Dragu has been appointed governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), and concurrently president of the central bank’s Supervisory Board and the Executive Committee, for a term of seven years. The appointment was approved by Parliament with 58 votes from the PAS majority.

The candidacy was formally proposed by Speaker Igor Grosu. According to the résumé presented in Parliament, Anca-Dana Dragu has over 15 years of experience in the National Bank of Romania and the International Monetary Fund. She was also Minister of Public Finance in the Romanian Government and in 2020 she was elected President of the Romanian Senate.

In a comment to the Romanian press, Anca Dragu stated that it is an honor for her to contribute to the European path of Moldova. “We need strong, independent institutions that ensure the country’s economic stability and prosperity for all citizens. It will not be an easy journey, but with patience, determination and skill we will be able to complete the European project”, declared Anca Dragu.

The Socialists and Communists group in Parliament condemned the appointment, claiming that PAS broke the law by giving the post to a foreign citizen. While Anca Dragu has been granted Moldovan citizenship so that she could qualify for the post, the Soc-Coms claim this was done in violation of the law. MP Vlad Batrîncea, a leading Socialist, said his party intends to challenge the appointment at the Constitutional Court.

The President’s Office has published the decree whereby Anca Dragu has become a Moldovan citizen. Signed on December 21, it entered into force the same day.

Anca-Dana Dragu is replacing Octavian Armașu, who was discharged from the post in the evening of December 21. 81 MPs voted for his dismissal.