When the presidential decree is signed, the nomination of the candidate for premiership is definitive, said constitutional law expert, Doctor Habilitate Alexandru Arseni. He stated for IPN that the President’s decree by which Ion Paduraru was nominated for Prime Minister cannot be abrogated, but only challenged at the Constitutional Court. The expert was asked to pronounce following reports that a statement signed by 55 MPs was submitted to the President’s chancellery, by which another candidate is proposed for the post of Prime Minister.

Alexandru Arseni said President Nicolae Timofti set a clear time limit by which to file a candidate who would meet the integrity criteria, even if he wasn’t obliged to do this. This deadline wasn’t respected. The head of state fulfilled his duties and nominated a candidate for premiership in accordance with the Constitution. His decree cannot be abrogated. If it is disputed at the Constitutional Court, there will be no reasons for annulling it.

He added that if Ion Paduraru does not get the Parliament’s vote of confidence, the head of state will have to dissolve the legislative body.

President Nicolae Timofti signed a decree by which he nominated the chief of the President’s staff Ion Paduraru for the premiership. In the morning of January 15, the Democrat Party registered with the President’s chancellery a statement of the absolute parliamentary majority consisting of 55 MPs by which the party’s deputy chairman Pavel Filip is suggested for the post of Prime Minister, and asked that the head of state should abrogate his decree.