President of Moldova
Template:Short description Template:Infobox political post
The president of the Republic of Moldova (Template:Langx) is the head of state of Moldova. The current president is Maia Sandu, who assumed office on 24 December 2020.
Duties and functions
The president "represents the State" and is "…the guarantor of national sovereignty and independence, as well as of the territorial unity and integrity of the State."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In this capacity, the president ensures the continuity of the Moldovan state, arbitrates and mediates the regular functioning of public institutions, and upholds the rule of law. This role is in keeping with the president's solemn oath, taken at inauguration, "…to devote all my personal strength and abilities to the prosperity of the Republic of Moldova, to abide by the Constitution and the laws of the country, to defend democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms, the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Moldova."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Moldova is a parliamentary republic wherein most of the president's powers are in practice ministerial, meaning they are exercised as stipulated by the Constitution, in accordance with the confidence of Parliament or, on the advice of the Government. The Moldovan presidency is thus a largely ceremonial institution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Efn Nevertheless, because the president represents Moldova internationally, they have ultimate say over the country's foreign policy. In addition, the president can influence domestic policy by using their status to initiate and participate in public discourse.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Perhaps most importantly, the president enjoys a broad suite of discretionary powers which they may use to protect the established constitutional order.
Ministerial powers
The president, in order to maintain the continuity and stability of the democratic process, summons a new Parliament not later than 30 days following a general election and nominates a candidate for the office of prime minister after consulting the leaders of the different political parties in Parliament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> If Parliament gives its vote of confidence to the nominee and to the nominee's list of ministers, the president appoints the resulting prime minister-designate as prime minister and the other persons as ministers of the Government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Whenever the prime minister is incapacitated, including as a result of resignation or death in office, the president is likewise required to nominate another minister of the Government as acting prime minister. The acting prime minister is thereafter responsible for leading the Government until either a new prime minister is appointed or the incumbent prime minister's incapacitation ceases.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Government formation aside, the president promulgates the laws passed by Parliament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Moreover, the president performs other functions in matters of foreign relations and national defence. As it concerns foreign relations, the president accredits and recalls Moldovan ambassadors and envoys stationed in foreign states, receives the credentials of foreign diplomats to Moldova, and authorizes the opening, closure, or change in rank of diplomatic missions operating abroad.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, the president may order general or partial mobilisations, repel armed aggression, declare a state of war, and take other due measures to safeguard public security and maintain public order.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All of these functions are exercised on the advice of the Government and require for their validity the countersignature of the prime minister.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Discretionary powers
The president in their absolute discretion may:
- Convene extraordinary sessions of Parliament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Introduce legislation to Parliament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn
- Attend plenary sessions of Parliament and otherwise address Parliament at any time on any matter of national interest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Dissolve Parliament and call snap elections.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Negotiate and conclude treaties on behalf of the Republic of Moldova and submit them, in accordance with the manner and terms established under the law, to Parliament for its ratification.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Award medals and titles of honour, supreme military ranks, and diplomatic ranks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Settle questions of citizenship and grant political asylum.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Appoint public officers as provided by law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Grant individual pardons.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Request Moldovan citizens express their will by way of referendum on matters of national interest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Confer superior degrees of qualification to officers holding positions with the prosecuting bodies, courts of law and to other categories of civil servants, under the law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Suspend Government ordinances and regulations which run contrary to primary legislation enacted by Parliament, unless and until the Constitutional Court rules on their legality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Submit any law of which the president objects to Parliament for its reconsideration within two weeks of the law's passage. In the event Parliament abides by its previously passed decision, the president must promulgate the law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Appoints judges on the nomination of the Superior Council of Magistracy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Establish, organize, and appoint a Presidential Administration. The Presidential Administration is a collection of state agencies which reports to the president and serves as the president's support staff. The secretary-general of the Presidential Administration serves as the liaison between the president and the Government and administers the various presidential agencies subject to the president's direction and supervision. One such state agency, the Supreme Security Council, consults the president on foreign policy.<ref>Аппарат президента — Президентура Республики Молдова Template:Webarchive</ref>
- Exercise other discretionary powers as may be provided by law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Election
The president is elected in a two-round direct election, with a runoff taking place between the top two finishers if no candidate receives a majority in the first round. This system was put in place when the constitution of Moldova was adopted in 1994.
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In 2000, the Constitution was amended changing the process to an indirect election by the Parliament of Moldova, with a supermajority of 61 votes required. On March 4, 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled that the amendment was unconstitutional<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Moldova consequently returned to electing the president via popular vote.
One presidential term lasts for four years; presidents are limited to two consecutive terms. Before the 2000 amendments, the presidential term lasted for five years.
Under Article 78 of the Constitution, candidates must be citizens of Moldova with the right to vote and over 40 years old who had lived or has been living permanently in Moldova for no less than 10 years and speaks the official state language. By convention, a newly elected president renounces formal ties with their political party before taking office.
Constitutional position
According to the Article 77 of the Constitution of Moldova (1994), the president of Moldova is the head of the state and represents the state and is the guarantor of national sovereignty, independence, and the unity and territorial integrity of the nation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Acting president
The acting president of Moldova (Template:Langx) is a person who fulfils the duties of the president of Moldova when cases of incapacity and vacancy occur. It is a temporary post provided by the Constitution of Moldova.
According to Article 91 of the Constitution of Moldova (1994): Template:Cquote
Suspension from office
According to Article 89 of the Constitution of Moldova (1994):
- (1) In the event where the president of the Republic of Moldova commits grave offenses infringing upon constitutional provisions, he or she may be suspended from office by Parliament if two-thirds of the members cast their vote in support of suspension.
- (2) The motion requesting the suspension from office must be initiated by at least one third of the members, and it must be brought to the knowledge of the President without delay. The President may give explanations on the actions for which he or she is being censured before parliament.
- (3) If the motion requesting suspension from office meets with approval, a national referendum shall be organized within 30 days for removing the President from office.
Vacancy
According to Article 90 of the Constitution of Moldova (1994):
- (1) The office of the President of the Republic of Moldova may become vacant in consequence of expiry of the presidential mandate, resignation from office, removal from office, definite impossibility of executing his duties, or death.
- (2) The request to remove the President of the Republic of Moldova from office will be brought forward in Parliament, which will pass a decision on that request.
- (3) Within 3 months from the date when the presidential office was announced as vacant elections for a new president will be held in accordance with the law.
Standard
The presidential standard (Template:Langx) consists of the Coat of Arms of Moldova in front of a purple background and a border composed of squares of 1/9 in the national colours of the republic. The regulations of the Standard of the President is approved by the decree of the President with the opinion of the National Heraldic Commission. The original of the Standard of the President is handed over to the President at the inauguration ceremony and is kept in their office. Duplicates and copies of the standard are displayed at the Presidential Palace or at other presidential residences while they are on these premises.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Band and music
The official march of the presidency is the Marș de Întîmpinare «La Mulți ani» (Slow March «To many years»), which is used during the arrival of the president at special occasions, similarly to Hail to the Chief for the president of the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Presidential Band of the Republic of Moldova is the main military band of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova and specifically serves the president during all functions of state. The band performs at welcome ceremonies of foreign officials on state visits, military parades, and the accreditation of ambassadors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Office of the President
- Lilia Tonu – Deputy Secretary General
- Nicu Popescu – Special Envoy for European Affairs and Strategic Partnerships
- Olga Roșca – Advisor on Foreign Policy and European Affairs
- Stanislav Secrieru – Defense and National Security Advisor; Secretary of the National Security Council
- Veronica Mihailov-Moraru – Judicial Advisor
- Stella Jantuan – Advisor on Political Issues, Relations with Public Authorities and Civil Society
- Larisa Miculeț – Advisor on Relations with Citizens
- Alexandru Gasnaș – Healthcare Advisor
- Mihaela Fedoseev – Advisor on Inter-institutional Coordination and Organizational Processes
- Igor Zaharov – Press Secretary and Public Communication Advisor
List of presidents of Moldova
Moldavian Democratic Republic (1917–1918)
- Party
| No. | Portrait | Name Template:Small |
Took office | Left office | Political party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background:Template:Party color;"| 1 | File:Ion C. Inculeţ (1884-1940).jpg | Ion Inculeț Template:Small |
Template:OldStyleDate | Template:OldStyleDate | Socialist Revolutionary Party |
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Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (1940–1991)
First secretaries of the Moldavian Communist Party
| No. | Portrait | Name | Office term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyotr Borodin | 2 August 1940 | 11 February 1942 | |
| 2 | Nikita Salogor | 13 February 1942 | 5 January 1946 | |
| 3 | Nicolae Coval | 5 January 1946 | 26 July 1950 | |
| 4 | File:Leonid Brezjnev, leider van de Sovjet-Unie, Bestanddeelnr 925-6564.jpg | Leonid Brezhnev | 26 July 1950 | 25 October 1952 |
| 5 | Dmitri Gladki | 25 October 1952 | 8 February 1954 | |
| 6 | Zinovie Serdiuk | 8 February 1954 | 29 May 1961 | |
| 7 | File:Ivan Bodiul, 1978.jpg | Ivan Bodiul | 29 May 1961 | 22 December 1980 |
| 8 | File:Semion Grossu.jpg | Semion Grossu | 22 December 1980 | 16 December 1989 |
| 9 | File:Petru Lucinschi 2000.jpg | Petru Lucinschi | 16 November 1989 | 5 February 1991 |
| 10 | Grigore Eremei | 5 February 1991 | 23 August 1991 | |
Chairmen of the Supreme Soviet of SSR Moldova
- Party
| No. | Portrait | Name Template:Small |
Took office | Left office | Political party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background:Template:Party color; color:white"| 1 | framless | Mircea Snegur Template:Small |
27 April 1990 | 3 September 1990 | Communist Party of Moldova |
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Republic of Moldova (1991–present)
- Parties
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- Status
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Timeline (since 1990)
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id:LIFESPAN value:rgb(0.88, 0.90, 0.70) Legend: Lifespan
id:PRES_IND value:rgb(0.70, 0.70, 0.70) Legend: Independent
id:PRES_PDAM value:rgb(0.01, 0.41, 0.3) Legend: Democratic_Agrarian_Party
id:PRES_PCRM value:rgb(0.75, 0.01, 0) Legend: Party_of_Communists
id:PRES_PL value:rgb(0.45, 0.76, 0.98) Legend: Liberal_Party
id:PRES_PLDM value:rgb(0.05, 0.54, 0.29) Legend: Liberal_Democratic_Party
id:PRES_PDM value:rgb(0.15, 0.29, 0.61) Legend: Democratic_Party
id:PRES_PSRM value:rgb(0.61, 0.08, 0.18) Legend: Party_of_Socialists
id:PRES_PAS value:rgb(1, 0.87, 0) Legend: Party_of_Action_and_Solidarity
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bar:2 width:18 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:27/01/1940 till:15/01/1997 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Petru Lucinschi color:PRES_PDAM from:15/01/1997 till:07/04/2001 color:LIFESPAN from:07/04/2001 till:$now
bar:3 width:18 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:03/08/1941 till:07/04/2001 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Vladimir Voronin color:PRES_PCRM from:07/04/2001 till:11/09/2009 color:LIFESPAN from:11/09/2009 till:$now
bar:4 width:12 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:19/11/1951 till:11/09/2009 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Mihai Ghimpu (acting) color:PRES_PL from:11/09/2009 till:28/12/2010 color:LIFESPAN from:28/12/2010 till:$now
bar:5 width:12 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:06/05/1969 till:28/12/2010 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Vlad Filat (acting) color:PRES_PLDM from:28/12/2010 till:30/12/2010 color:LIFESPAN from:30/12/2010 till:$now
bar:6 width:12 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:20/06/1966 till:30/12/2010 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Marian Lupu (acting) color:PRES_PDM from:30/12/2010 till:23/03/2012 color:LIFESPAN from:23/03/2012 till:$now
bar:7 width:18 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:22/12/1948 till:23/03/2012 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Nicolae Timofti color:PRES_IND from:23/03/2012 till:23/12/2016 color:LIFESPAN from:23/12/2016 till:$now
bar:8 width:18 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:18/02/1975 till:23/12/2016 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Igor Dodon color:PRES_PSRM from:23/12/2016 till:24/12/2020 color:LIFESPAN from:24/12/2020 till:$now
bar:9 width:18 color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M from:24/05/1972 till:24/12/2020 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME align:center text:Maia Sandu color:PRES_PAS from:24/12/2020 till:$now
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pos:(250,$height) fontsize:L textcolor:black text:"Lifespan of each Moldovan President"
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Residence
The Presidential Palace is located in the Buiucani sector of Chișinău. It was constructed between 1984 and 1987 to the design of architects A. Zalțman and V. Iavorski. The distinctive building was originally the meeting place of the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR.
See also
Notes
References
External links
Template:Moldova topics Template:MoldovanPresidents Template:Europe heads of state and government