Moldovan Parliament Approves New Prime Minister To End Crisis

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service
May 31, 2013

Moldova's parliament has approved acting Prime Minister Iurie Leanca as premier to help end a political crisis.

Leanca replaces Vlad Filat, who resigned in early March after losing a vote of confidence amid feuding coalition allies.

Filat and Leanca are allies and RFE/RL's correspondent says many of the ministers in Filat's cabinet will retain their posts in the new government.

Following the parliament vote, Leanca told RFE/RL that his government would fight corruption and bring the country closer to Europe.

The outcome means that the prospect of early elections, which could have led to strong gains by the opposition Communists, was averted.

The 49-year-old Leanca has been acting prime minister since April. He was foreign minister from 2009 until March.

With additional reporting by Reuters and AP