The presidential decrees by which First Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Moldovanu and Minister of Transport Anatol Salaru were discharged at the interim Premier’s proposal as well as the Government decision to dismiss the head of the Forestry Agency “Moldsilva” Ion Cebanu were declared unconstitutional. Passing its judgment on May 18, the Constitutional Court ruled that the three, who were fielded to posts by the Liberal Party, will continue work, IPN reports.

The Court pronounced on the issue following a challenge filed by the Liberal MPs Mihai Ghimpu and Valeriu Munteanu, concerning the amendments made to the legislation about the powers of the outgoing Cabinet and the interim Prime Minister.

Under the Court’s decision, the status of interim Prime Minister is different from that of the Prime Minister in office and thus their powers cannot be equaled. The head of state cannot hire or fire Cabinet members at the suggestion of a person who wasn’t invested by the Parliament’s vote of confidence.

As to the powers of the outgoing Cabinet, the Court held that a dismissed Government can administer the public affairs until a new Cabinet is installed, but cannot propose and approve legislative initiatives, present the budget and perform reshuffles.

The Liberal Democratic Party, of which interim Prime Minister Iurie Leanca forms part, said the Constitutional Court’s decision is political in character. It informed it will soon propose solutions for restoring the functionality of the state institutions.