A new pro-European coalition in the Republic of Moldova

The leaders of the pro-European parties in Chisinau, the Liberal-Democrat Vlad Filat, the Democrat Marian Lupu and the Liberal Mihai Ghimpu, on Thursday signed an agreement to create a new ruling coalition in the Republic of Moldova, the Alliance for European Integration.

On Tuesday night, the parties had already agreed that the country's prime minister would be a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, and the speaker of Parliament a member of the Democratic Party.

"This is a good and fair political agreement that will ensure a stable parliamentary majority in the Republic of Moldova and appoint a cabinet as soon as possible", said the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vlad Filat.

He emphasised that the three parties agreed to carry out profound reforms, including depoliticising state institutions.

"We all agreed to carry out deep reforms, including with respect to state institutions. Parliament will next meet to approve the government, so that the Republic of Moldova could have a government by the end of July", Vlad Filat added.

The signing of the agreement to create the Alliance for European Integration is tantamount to the continuation of Moldova's efforts to join the European Union, the Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu emphasised.

"The signing of this agreement is in fact a guarantee for staying on course for European integration, without which the Republic of Moldova and we, its citizens, do not have a future", Mihai Ghimpu said.

Speaking about the fight against corruption, Mihai Ghimpu said the European Union agreed to send expert missions to Chisinau to help with the reform of the country's judiciary as part of institutions such as the interior ministry, the general prosecutor's office and the National Anticorruption Centre.

The new coalition is the only acceptable solution for the future development of the Republic of Moldova, the leader of the Liberal Party, Marian Lupu, said

"The alliance we have created aims to strengthen the country in the face of challenges. It is the only possible solution for our country", Marian Lupu said.

The person proposed to take over the position of prime minister is Maia Sandu, the incumbent education minister.

A graduate of the management faculty of the Academy of Economic Studies in Chisinau and with training in international relations at the Academy of Public Administration, Maia Sandu also has a master's degree in public administration from Harvard and worked as an advisor to the World Bank executive director.

For the last month and a half, the Moldovan cabinet has been run by Natalia Gherman, with the parliamentary support of the communists, following the resignation of prime minister Chiril Gaburici amidst an investigation into allegations that he forged his baccalaureate degree.