The year 2018 was marked by several unexpected or controversial resignations: from ministers and magistrates to the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova. Most important resignations were registered in the justice system. Controversial or without explanation, resignations have prompted experts' criticism and raised questions. Reporters of Anticoruptie.md reveal major controversial resignations in 2018.

Tudor Panțîru

The year 2018 began with the resignation of the President of the Constitutional Court, Tudor Panţîru. He resigned on January 31, citing personal reasons. Incidentally or not, the announcement came the day after Alexandru Tanase, who returned to the Ministry of Justice, announced reforms in the field.

Panţîru was appointed Judge of the Constitutional Court by decision of the Superior Council of Magistracy on February 12, 2013. On May 12, 2017, after Alexandru Tanase's mandate ended, Tudor Panţîru was appointed president of the Constitutional Court. Panţîru's resignation was not explained.

Alexandru Tănase

Shortly after Tudor Panţîru's resignation, on March 11, Alexandru Tanase quitted the office of Justice Minister. The dignitary's gesture came two days after Jurnal TV made public a phone conversation between businessman Veaceslav Platon, convicted for scam and money laundering, and Alexandru Tanase, which happened in the period when the latter was president of the Constitutional Court.

"It is in the spirit of European values that any function of public dignity should be based first of all on public confidence. When this confidence is jeopardized, even for reasons of no relevance, any initiative, no matter how good it may be, will not give the expected result.

"Personal interest cannot be prior to general interest. In this context, I have come to the conclusion that the best solution in this situation is to  resign in the coming days from the post of Minister of Justice, thus  I finish my public career", wrote Alexandru Tanase in a post on his Facebook page.

In the phone conversation broadcast by Jurnal TV, Veaceslav Platon and Alexandru Tanase discuss amicably about the theft in the banking system and the involvement of Ilan Şor, Dorin Dragutanu and Vladimir Plahotniuc in this scheme.

Svetlana Cebotari and Liviu Volconovici

In a briefing held in September, the leader of the Democrats, Vlad Plahotniuc, announced Government's reshuffle. Thus, Svetlana Cebotari, Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection, and Liviu Volconovici, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Regional Development, were dismissed.

"The fact that we are at the last minute ahead of the election does not mean we do not have to make any more reshuffles, especially if that's what people request. If necessary, we will make reshuffles in the government team even a month before the election. Together with the prime minister, we agreed on the reshuffles", said Vlad Plahotniuc.

Liviu Volconovici was criticized by Prime Minister Filip for problems related to the dormitories of the State Agrarian University of Moldova, to be assigned to a construction company. Filip also mentioned problems with irrigation stations, for which a lot of money is spent, but these do not work.

Alexandru Gheorghieș

In mid-October, one year after his appointment, the member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), Alexandru Gheorghieş, lodged his mandate. "I used  my right to end my own-initiative mandate. I will return to the position of judge and chairman at the Balti Court of Appeals", said Alexandru Gheorghieş at the SCM meeting.

In an investigation carried out in October 2017, reporters of the Center for Investigative Journalism revealed that in 2015 Alexandru Gheorghieş came to the media's attention after a scandal about the intention to privatize an apartment that was put into use in 2012 by local authorities in Balti.

According to the mayor Renato Usatîi, in order to avoid the payment of about 400,000 lei for the privatization of the 74.3 sq.m dwelling, Gheorghieş would have enlisted his mother-in-law and father-in-law in the apartment, taking care of them. Thus, the cost of privatization decreased to 19,000 lei. The magistrate then said that he had not violated any legal norms, and the documents were also checked by the CNA.

Resignations of judges

The first wave of resignations was registered in early November, when six judges decided to quit the system. Among the judges who wanted to quit the system were five magistrates from the Supreme Court of Justice: Dumitru Visternicean, Elena Covalenco, Tatiana Vieru, Iulia Sircu and Valeriu Doaga.

Besides, two judges from the courts - Victoria Sanduţa from the Chişinău Court and Ion Cojocari from the Comrat Court have announced their resignation. The main reasons  for  resignation by the judges at the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ)  was the wage reform in the budget system and negative attitude to magistrates.

Subsequently, Judge Victoria Sanduţa filed an application for withdrawal of the resignation approved by the SCM. On November 15, when the Parliament was to approve their resignations, Tatiana Vieru and Valeriu Doagă changed their mind even if their resignations  had been accepted by the Superior Council of Magistracy. The new wave of judges' resignations was registered on 13 November, when the SCM approved the resignations of  other 5 magistrates who had been active in the Courts of Appeal in Moldova.

It is about Ludmila Ous of the Chisinau Court of Appeal detained in a corruption case and her colleagues Maria Moraru, Marina Galupa from the Comrat Court of Appeal, Tudor Berdilă, promoted to Cahul Court of Appeal a year ago, and Ana Albu from the Balti Court of Appeal. Two weeks later, Tudor Berdila also withdrew his resignation.

Experts argue that the series  of resignation of judges is related to the bill on the salary payment in the budgetary sector and pragmatism. On the other hand, serial resignations will have an impact over time, experts say, as several experienced judges have resigned.

Sergiu Cioclea

On 20 November, the National Bank of Moldova’s governor, Sergiu Cioclea tendered his resignation. This was announced in a briefing.

Cioclea mentioned that he has set a goal to work with the National Bank of Moldova until he consolidates the banking system in Moldova and until the reforms are complete.

He pointed out that this stage was completed in October 2018, after the package was sold to Moldova-Agroindbank, the latest laws drafted by the National Bank were voted, and the legislative change plan was fully implemented.

The NBM governor added that he quits the office for personal reasons.

Resignations of magistrates from the Constitutional Court

The end of the year was marked by the unexpected resignations of the Constitutional Court magistrates - Victor Popa and Igor Dolea. Popa said the reason for his resignation would be health problems.

The judge says he does not feel well, so he decided to quit office three months before his term expires. His colleague, Igor Dolea quitted the office two months ahead of schedule. The two judges were replaced by Raisa Apolschii and Corneliu Gurin.

Political commentators believe that the appointments before the parliamentary elections are an attempt of the power to appoint  loyalists in key positions  and to strengthen their positions.