Moldova: New pro-Western government sworn in, faces ‘crises’

By STEPHEN McGRATH and CRISTIAN JARDAN
Associated Press

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova’s new government led by pro-Western economist Dorin Recean has been sworn in after winning Parliament’s approval, as the small former Soviet republic signaled a shift to security concerns amid Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine. Recean, a 48-year-old economist who served for a year as President Maia Sandu’s defense and security adviser, was appointed by her last week after Natalia Gavrilita suddenly quit the premiership. All lawmakers present from Moldova’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity, which holds 63 seats in the country’s 101-seat legislature, voted in favor of Recean’s government Thursday. The Moscow-friendly parties, the Communists and Socialists, which hold 31 seats, abstained from voting, and the 6-seat Shor Party boycotted the vote.