The president "represents the State" and is "…the guarantor of national sovereignty and independence, as well as of the territorial unity and integrity of the State." In this capacity, the president ensures the
continuity of the Moldovan state,
arbitrates and
mediates the
regular functioning of
public institutions, and upholds the
rule of law. This role is in keeping with the president's solemn oath, taken at inauguration, "…to devote all my personal strength and abilities to the prosperity of the Republic of Moldova, to abide by the Constitution and the laws of the country, to defend democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms, the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Moldova." Moldova is a
parliamentary republic wherein most of the president's powers are in practice ministerial, meaning they are exercised as stipulated by the Constitution, in accordance with the confidence of
Parliament or, on the advice of the
Government. The Moldovan presidency is thus a largely ceremonial institution. Nevertheless, because the president represents Moldova internationally, they have ultimate say over the country's foreign policy. In addition, the president can influence domestic policy by using their status to initiate and participate in public discourse. Perhaps most importantly, the president enjoys a broad suite of discretionary powers which they may use to protect the established constitutional order.
Ministerial powers The president, in order to maintain the continuity and stability of the democratic process, summons a new Parliament not later than 30 days following a general election and nominates a candidate for the office of
prime minister after consulting the leaders of the different political parties in Parliament. If Parliament gives its vote of confidence to the nominee and to the nominee's list of ministers, the president appoints the resulting
prime minister-designate as prime minister and the other persons as ministers of the Government. Whenever the prime minister is incapacitated, including as a result of resignation or death in office, the president is likewise required to nominate another minister of the Government as acting prime minister. The acting prime minister is thereafter responsible for leading the Government until either a new prime minister is appointed or the incumbent prime minister's incapacitation ceases.
Government formation aside, the president
promulgates the laws passed by Parliament. Moreover, the president performs other functions in matters of
foreign relations and
national defence. As it concerns foreign relations, the president
accredits and
recalls Moldovan
ambassadors and
envoys stationed in foreign states,
receives the credentials of
foreign diplomats to Moldova, and authorizes the opening, closure, or change in rank of
diplomatic missions operating abroad. As commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces, the president may order general or partial
mobilisations, repel
armed aggression, declare a
state of war, and take other due measures to safeguard
public security and maintain
public order. All of these functions are exercised on the advice of the Government and require for their validity the
countersignature of the prime minister.
Discretionary powers The president in their absolute discretion may: • Convene
extraordinary sessions of Parliament. •
Introduce legislation to Parliament. • Attend plenary sessions of Parliament and otherwise address Parliament at any time on any matter of national interest. •
Dissolve Parliament and call
snap elections. • Negotiate and conclude
treaties on behalf of the Republic of Moldova and submit them, in accordance with the manner and terms established under the law, to Parliament for its
ratification. • Award medals and titles of honour, supreme military ranks, and diplomatic ranks. • Settle questions of
citizenship and grant
political asylum. • Appoint public officers as provided by law. • Grant individual
pardons. • Request Moldovan citizens express their will by way of
referendum on matters of national interest. • Confer superior degrees of qualification to officers holding positions with the prosecuting bodies, courts of law and to other categories of civil servants, under the law. • Suspend Government ordinances and regulations which run contrary to
primary legislation enacted by Parliament, unless and until the Constitutional Court rules on their legality. • Submit any law of which the president objects to Parliament for its reconsideration within two weeks of the law's passage. In the event Parliament abides by its previously passed decision, the president must promulgate the law. • Appoints judges on the nomination of the Superior Council of Magistracy. • Establish, organize, and appoint a Presidential Administration. The Presidential Administration is a collection of state agencies which reports to the president and serves as the president's support staff. The secretary-general of the Presidential Administration serves as the liaison between the president and the Government and administers the various presidential agencies subject to the president's direction and supervision. One such state agency, the Supreme Security Council, consults the president on foreign policy. • Exercise other
discretionary powers as may be provided by law. ==Election==