CHISINAU. Dec 27 (Interfax) - Moldovan President has signed a decree dismissing Defense Minister Anatol Salaru, who was nominated for this post by the Liberal Party standing for Moldova's association with Romania, on Tuesday, Dodon said in social networks.
The Liberal Party leader Mihai Ghimpu requested the minister's dismissal over a quarrel within the management of the party, but former Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti refused to sign the decree having considered it unfounded.
Dodon ironically thanked Ghimpu for his initiative, pointing out that "a veterinarian by training shouldn't serve as the defense minister."
The president called on the party's leader to do the same regarding other ministers nominated by the party, promising to sign relevant decrees without delay.
"There are problems both with Education Minister Corina Fusu and Transport Minister Iurie Chirinciuc, who embezzles money directed towards road repair, and with others. Therefore, Mr. Ghimpu, file a request and I promise you that these ministers will be dismissed on the same day," Dodon said.
The new president confirmed his intend to deprive former Romanian President Traian Basescu of Moldovan citizenship. "The relevant decree signed by ex-President Nicolae Timofti in violation of legislation will be abolished even before the New Year. The state bodies' responses to granting Basescu citizenship were negative," Dodon said.
The Basescu couple requested Moldovan citizenship on March 8, 2016, and Timofti's decree granted it to them as early as June. Romania's ex-president explained it with a wish to facilitate Moldova's European choice. During the presidential election campaign in Moldova he openly supported Dodon's main competitor, the Action and Solidarity Party leader Maia Sandu.