Moldova’s government will rotate one minister and replace another two,  Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced at a press conference on November 18. 

The narrow ‘yes’ vote in the October referendum on Moldova’s EU integration, and the strong performance by incumbent President Maia Sandu’s main rival in the recent presidential election prompted Sandu to promise reforms and an overhaul of the cabinet. However, the modest reshuffle seems more of a cosmetic operation in line with the promise made by Sandu to her critics, than part of a broader reform of the public administration. 

The current secretary of state of the Ministry of the Interior, Daniela Misail-Nichitin, was proposed for the position of head of the institution. Misail-Nichitin will take the place of Adrian Efros, who announced his resignation a short time ago. Misail-Nichitin is a close collaborator of the Minister of Interior Ana Revenco — who was a member of the first Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) cabinet headed by Natalia Gavrilita.

At the same time, the executive director of the Association of Milk Producers from the Republic of Moldova, Ludmila Catlabuga, takes over as minister of agriculture and food industry (MAIA).

Vladimir Bolea, who until now held the position of head of MAIA, was transferred to the position of minister of infrastructure and regional development. This followed the resignation of Andrei Spinu as infrastructure minister ahead of the reshuffle. 

Recean stated that he is confident that the new ministers will not need 100 days to adjust to their positions.

"We have to understand that we have a government programme that needs to be implemented. This government programme represents the needs of the citizens and we have come up with adjustments in some directions of development. It is very important that we move as quickly," he said.

Sandu also met representatives of 18 political parties, whom she invited to talk over “political corruption” — a term apparently referring to the bribing of voters. The authorities claimed large sums were sent by Russia to bribe thousands of voters in the recent elections. However, the president did not mention efforts to addresss the fundamental issues crippling the functioning of the judiciary in Moldova.