Moldova's pro-EU Prime Minister Dorin Recean said on Monday, October 13, that he would not lead the next government, despite a decisive victory by his ruling party in last month's parliamentary elections. The announcement came after the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won the September 28 election with 50.20% of the vote, keeping the ex-Soviet nation of 2.4 million on a path to one day joining the European Union.
The vote was seen as crucial for the future of the small country bordering Ukraine. The election itself was marred by widespread allegations of Russian interference, a claim Moscow has denied. The country's constitutional court is due to meet on Thursday to decide the validation of the ballot's results, contested by the pro-Russian opposition, which got 24.18% of the vote.
President Maia Sandu is expected to nominate a new premier after holding consultations. PAS has 55 seats in a 101-seat parliament, enough to form a new government on its own.
Recean said on Monday he will stay on as head of the government until a new cabinet is formed, adding he would then quit "public and political life." He said he accepted the leadership post in February 2023 in order to strengthen Moldova's institutions. "Now that we have a new parliament, a new pro-European majority of PAS, we need to move on to another stage," he said.
Sandu thanked Recean for his service on Facebook, calling him "the most suitable person to lead the government and guide state institutions through multiple crises with dignity."
In a recent interview, Recean said the government's main achievements were Moldova's EU accession that started last year, reducing the country's energy dependency on Russia, increasing salaries and pensions, as well as investing in the country's infrastructure.