Moldova confirms pro-EU financier Vasile Tofan as prime minister amid reform push

Moldova's parliament approved businessman Vasile Tofan as prime minister on Tuesday, filling a vacancy after the previous government collapsed due to a scandal at a state institution. Tofan, a pro-Western financier and informal adviser to President Maia Sandu, has never held public office but is respected for introducing Western corporate governance standards to Moldova's banking sector and listing a major winery on the Romanian stock exchange. In his parliamentary speech, Tofan pledged to overhaul the government apparatus, reduce public spending, and prioritize economic growth, with the main strategic objective of signing an EU accession treaty by 2028. Critics question whether his lack of political experience could hinder reforms, while analysts warn that continued abuses in the government's entourage could trigger a new political crisis. Moldova began formal EU membership negotiations in mid-June, and reunification with Romania is seen as a backup plan if EU accession fails.