Moldova swears in new pro-Western government amid tension with Russia

ATHENS

Moldova swore in a new government Thursday led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean, known for his pro-Western perspective, according to the state-run Moldpres news agency.

Following a vote of confidence in parliament, Recean and ministers took the oath before President Maia Sandu.

Sandu said the task of government is ensuring the safety of citizens and putting the country on a reconstruction and development track.

“You have to manage the country’s affairs in a difficult period, marked by multiple crises,” Sandu told lawmakers and ministers in an obvious reference to escalation with Russia.

Natalia Gavrilita had resigned as the country's premier last week after 18 months in power, a period marked by economic turmoil and tensions sparked by the war in Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Sandu said Russia wants to stage a coup d’état in Moldova, and called for heightened security measures.

Moldova said earlier on Thursday that border police discovered debris from a fallen missile, originating from Russian air attacks, in the Larga commune that borders Ukraine. It was the fourth instance where remnants of missiles from strikes on Ukraine fell in Moldova.