Moldovan court suspends president's powers over minister refusal

ALLIES. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) welcomes Moldova's President Igor Dodon at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on December 26, 2017. Photo by Alexey Druzhinin / Sputnik / AFP

CHISINAU, Moldova – The Moldovan constitutional court temporarily suspended the powers of President Igor Dodon on Tuesday, January 2, following his refusal to approve the appointment of several pro-Europe ministers.

Dodon, a figurehead leader who backs closer ties with Russia, repeatedly refused at the end of December to appoint 5 ministers and two deputy ministers put forward by his pro-EU Prime Minister Pavel Filip.

However, the court said "the president has the right to refuse to approve the candidacy of a member of the government just one time" as it announced the "temporary suspension" of his powers.

The appointment of the seven ministers will be made on January 5 by the prime minister or the speaker of parliament Andrian Candu, the court said.

Dodon hit back in a Facebook post, calling the decision a "serious violation of judicial procedures", accusing the constitutional court of entering "the grey zone of democracy."

"It is a dishonourable and regrettable fall from grace for a democratic state," he added, promising "not to give in".

Moldova, a former Soviet republic, is divided between supporters of closer links to Moscow and those who want integration into the European Union, which includes members of the current government.

Dodon is on good terms with Russian President Vladimir Putin and was the only foreign leader who attended the annual Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9 this year.

Since May, however, the two countries have seen tensions in their diplomatic ties. Moldova expelled five Russian diplomats without giving a reason and Russia responded with equivalent expulsions. – Rappler.com