Tarlev says Tkachuk and Reidman were pulling his Cabinet's strings

Moldova's longest-serving Prime Minister (2001-2008) Vasile Tarlev has told a talk show on ProTV channel he quit the job because he couldn't bear any longer the massive interference in the conducting of the Cabinet by Vladimir Voronin's advisors Mark Tkachuk and Oleg Reidman. Tarlev says the constant intervention in the Government's decision-making by Tkachuk and Reidman was one of the main reasons for his resignation. Talking about the new Cabinet, Tarlev said it shouldn't be criticized until it has served the first 100 days, after which an assessment should be made to see whether it deserves criticism or approbation. The show was also attended by another former Prime Minister (1999-2001), Dumitru Braghis, who expressed his concerns about the frailty of the new government. He says its main problem is its “multicolored palette”. “At the beginning, everything will be all right, but difficulties will certainly appear sooner or later. The cause is a coalition consisting of four parties, and scapegoats will always be looked for with every wrong step”. Both ex-prime ministers expressed their support for the new government and wished them luck. Moreover, Vasile Tarlev offered his services, saying he'd be glad to help if asked to. Ex-premier Zinaida Greceanyi refused the invitation to the show.