Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat, the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM), lost the lead in the rankings of the most influential politicians that is compiled monthly by the Center for Political Analysis and Consultancy “Politicon”. After holding the lead for two years, except for May and June 2011, in the May rankings he comes second. Another surprise of the rankings is the presence of a female politician among the top ten, IPN reports.
“Politicon” deputy head Ion Tabarta told a news conference that the rankings for May are headed by Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, who is the deputy chairman of the PLDM. The third position is taken by the leader of the Communist Party Vladimir Voronin.
Deputy Speaker Liliana Palihovici came fourth, up seven spots from April. President Nicolae Timofti ranks fifth, while Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca – sixth.
The seventh position is taken by the head of the Liberal-Democratic parliamentary group Valeriu Strelet, while the eighth by the Democrat Vlad Plahotniuc. The head of the Democratic parliamentary group Dumitru Diacov comes ninth, while the leader of the Liberal reformers Ion Hadarca is the tenth.
The head of the Democrat Party Marian Lupu and the Liberal Party chairman Mihai Ghimpu are not among the top ten politicians for the first time since the rankings started to be produced. Lupu ranks eleventh, while Ghimpu comes twelfth.
“Politicon” head Anatol Taranu said the May rankings show how important the post of Prime Minister is. As to Iurie Leanca’s climb to the first spot, it was expected as Leanca had been right behind Vlad Filat for several months in a row.
Anatol Taranu believes that the Democratic Party faces image-related problems and the weight of the decisions taken by its formal leader Marian Lupu is questioned by the project’s experts. The Liberal Party has an uncertain future. The dissention within this party may lead to its disappearance from the political arena.
Anatol Taranu and Ion Tabarta informed that besides the rankings of the most influential politicians, from June they will also produce the rankings of the most influential parties on the political arena in Moldova.
