Moldovan Prime Minister Resigns, Cabinet Dismissed

C O N F I D E N T I A L CHISINAU 000307

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MD
SUBJECT: Moldovan Prime Minister Resigns, Cabinet Dismissed

Classified By: Ambassador Michael D. Kirby for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Tarlev resigned March 19 and as a
result the cabinet resigned as required by Moldovan law. Reportedly,
Tarlev only learned about his resignation this morning when President
Voronin asked him to resign. President Voronin presented Tarlev with
a government award to keep a happy face on the dismissal. A new
candidate for Prime Minister should be named within days -- Deputy
Prime Minister Grecianii is the most likely candidate. End Summary.

Voluntary Resignation to Avoid Dismissal
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2. (C) Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev resigned on March 19 at a regular
Wednesday weekly Cabinet plenary meeting also attended by President
Voronin. The president thanked Tarlev for his job, said he
appreciated the PM's work and awarded Tarlev a high state decoration
the "Order of the Republic." Voronin added that this was not the end
of Tarlev's career, hinting that Tarlev would remain on the PCRM
team. There are rumors Tarlev will be named to head the Communist
Party's election division which, in the run up to the 2009 elections
could be a significant job.


3. (C) However, behind the scenes, we heard that Voronin had asked
Tarlev to resign, and was unhappy with Tarlev who has never been seen
as much more than a place holder. While Tarlev is genial, he is not
a strong leader and his cabinet was uneven in quality. Poor election
results over the past 18 months may have contributed to Tarlev's
downfall. More likely, as most of the PCRM's election strategy was
run out of the president's offices, Voronin just thought it time to
make a change.

Next Procedural Step is Approval by Parliament
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4. (U) Tarlev is the first Prime Minister in Moldovan history to
resign; previous cabinets had been dismissed by the parliament.
According to law, in the case of a Prime Minister's resignation or
dismissal, the whole cabinet steps down. According to the Moldovan
constitution, following consultations with parliamentary factions,
the President suggests a candidate for Prime Minister. The candidate
then proposes to the Parliament the composition of the cabinet and
the cabinet's program. The Parliament approves the Prime Minister,
his/her cabinet and the cabinet's program at the same time. If the
candidate and his cabinet fail to gain a simple majority within
fifteen days, the President suggests another candidate. Three
consecutive failures to approve a new cabinet result in dissolution
of the Parliament. Given the PCRM's majority in Parliament, Voronin
will easily secure the votes needed to ensure his choice becomes
Prime Minister.


5. (C) Four persons were rumored in the press as possible successors.
They are First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii, Minister of
Economy and Trade Igor Dodon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
European Integration Andrei Stratan and Chairman of the Parliament's
Legal Committee Vladimir Turcan. Another possible choice is recently
selected Deputy Prime Minister Victor Stepaniuc. Our contacts both
in and out of government suggest that Mrs. Grecianii has the best
chance of being named Prime Minister. In a meeting this afternoon
with Embassy officer, Minister Dodon noted that he was busy working
with Grecianii on a plan for the new government. She enjoys a good
reputation, has been a reliable partner on MCC and a broad range of
economic issues, and is viewed as an honest reformer. Though Dodon
is also a possible candidate for the Prime Minister slot, most
believe he is too young and too inexperienced to be selected. While
Stratan's name has been floated as a possible replacement for Tarlev,
he has not received high marks for his handling of either his
ministry or of the European Action Plan. The parliament will soon
vote to approve the dismissal of the cabinet, and it is likely that
President Voronin will present his candidate at this same session.

Comment:
--------------


6. (C) The resignation of the Prime Minister and dismissal of the
cabinet came as a surprise to all involved -- Tarlev, the ministers,
as well as the nation, although Voronin did say on March 18 that the
public had tired of the same old faces in government. It appears
that Voronin wants to improve the party's image and give a new
government sufficient time to prosper before next March's general
election. Coming on the heels of the PCRM Party Congress March 15,
the shift may also be interpreted within the context of intra-party
rivalries, and seen as a victory for Tkaciuk's faction. It is likely
that many if not most of the cabinet will remain. Should Voronin
want serious change, there are a number of weak and or corrupt
performers in the cabinet who could find themselves looking for a new
job. The full impact of the shakeup will become clearer after the
new Prime Minister and cabinet are named. End Comment.

KIRBY