The government led by Vasile Tofan has experienced its first resignation merely three days after its inauguration on July 22. Radu Musteața, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, has stepped down following a scandal regarding his alleged connections to the former Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM), which was led by oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc from 2016 to 2019. Premier Vasile Tofan announced Musteața’s resignation, stating that he accepted the minister’s decision.
“Radu Musteața has submitted his resignation today, which I have accepted. This was a personal decision, a gesture of responsibility aimed at preserving public trust in the Government and its governance. I respect this decision. The Ministry of Agriculture will continue its work without interruption, and a new minister will be appointed shortly,” Tofan wrote on Facebook.
Musteața elaborated on his resignation in a social media post, asserting that he did so to avoid hindering the government’s work. He highlighted the need for the government to implement crucial reforms swiftly to ensure the well-being of Moldova’s citizens, deeming his resignation a responsible act to uphold public confidence. He expressed gratitude for the support he received and rejected any claims about his past affiliations as unfounded.
Resignation Following Days of Controversy
Musteața’s resignation followed attempts to clarify the political controversies surrounding him. The scandal erupted immediately after the new government took office.
On his first day in office, photographs surfaced showing Musteața at events organized by the former PDM, alongside several party members. When questioned about these images, he vehemently denied being a member of the PDM, labeling the reports as “falsehoods and absurdities.” He also stated he would resign if evidence proved otherwise.
The following day, the Social Democratic Party of Moldova (PSDE), which succeeded the former PDM, provided a conflicting statement. PSDE Secretary-General Iurie Cazacu claimed that Musteața had been a member of the Democratic Party in the Ciocana territorial organization and that there were photos showing him receiving a party membership card and participating in party meetings. In response, Musteața released further clarifications on Facebook.
“The truth is that I have never been a member of the PD. When Nae-Simion Pleșca was a deputy of PLDM, I attended meetings organized with supporters. After Pleșca switched to the PD, he insisted that I attend a few discussions with citizens where PD activists were present. I attended some due to prior interactions. I did not join the PD and did not support the PD,” Musteața clarified on July 23.
He also addressed a photograph with former Democratic deputy Veaceslav Nedelea, stating that he had only met with Nedelea as part of his role as the director of the Republican Center for Veterinary Diagnostics.
Reactions from Political Leadership
Igor Grosu, the Speaker of Parliament and leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which politically endorsed the new government, commented on the situation this morning.
“Honestly, I believe him when he says he was not part of one party or another. Being part of a party is a natural decision for everyone. Some choose to leave or distance themselves from parties, which is also normal. It’s his decision. I would have preferred for him to remain in this position,” Grosu stated when asked by journalists.
Background on Radu Musteața
Radu Musteața is an expert in food safety with a career primarily in public administration. He holds a degree in Chemical Technology and Biotechnology and a master’s degree in Ecological Chemistry and Environmental Protection, both from Moldova State University.
Throughout his career, he has participated in various training programs and international internships focused on food safety, risk assessment, and control of organic products in countries like the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Japan, Romania, Belgium, Italy, and Hungary, supported by the European Commission, EFSA, FAO, WHO, and JICA.
In 2018, he led the State Enterprise “Republican Center for Veterinary Diagnostics” before becoming head of the Department of Safety and Quality of Non-Animal Origin Food Products at the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA). He was appointed General Director of ANSA in October 2021 and took the oath of office as Minister of Agriculture on July 22. Just three days later, he resigned, thus becoming the first member of Tofan’s government to leave and one of the ministers with the shortest tenure in recent years in Moldova.
