Moldovan President Maia Sandu Sandu replaced her adviser for European affairs amid the country’s policy towards European integration and made other personnel changes in her administration, the press service of the Moldovan head of state reported on Friday.
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Re-elected for a second term, Sandu took the oath of office and took office as head of state on December 24.
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“The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, signed decrees that provide for adjustments to the composition of her team. Some of the advisers will continue their work in areas already managed, while others will take on new responsibilities,” a statement published on the website of the presidential administration said.
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Thus, Igor Zakharov, who until now held the position of Advisor on European Affairs and Strategic Communications, will become Advisor on Public Relations and Press Secretary to the President. In turn, Olga Rosca will take on the duties of Advisor on Foreign Policy and European Affairs.
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Sandu also accepted the resignation of Irina Gotisan, who held the position of press secretary, as well as the resignation of environmental adviser Iuliana Cantaragiu and cultural adviser Angela Brasoveanu.
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On November 3, the second round of presidential elections took place in Moldova. The main contenders were Maia Sandu, representing the pro-Western Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), and Alexander Stoianoglo, a candidate from the opposition Socialist Party. The voting results showed Sandu winning with 55.33% of the votes, while her opponent received 44.67%. However, the results within the country, without taking into account the votes of the foreign diaspora, turned out to be the opposite: Stoianoglo was supported by 51.19% of voters, and Sandu – 48.81%. The opposition accused the current president of neglecting the will of domestic voters for the sake of loyalty from the diaspora. Socialists, communists and the Pobeda political bloc refused to recognize the election results. The head of the Gagauz autonomy of Moldova, Evgenia Gutsul, said that the regional authorities do not recognize Sandu as the country’s president, accusing her of rigging the elections.
