Tofan government appointments prompt nepotism claims
PNM chairman Dragoș Galbur has alleged that several members of the new government assembled by Vasile Tofanhave family ties to prominent political and cultural figures. He said the appointments showed that the governing Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) continued to favour relatives and loyal associates despite earlier promises to select ministers on professional merit.
According to Galbur, the proposed Minister of Culture Dan Suruceanu is a nephew of singer Ion Suruceanu, while the new Minister of Health Alexandru Gasnaș is related to former Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
“The new culture minister, Dan Suruceanu, does have a connection to culture after all. He is maestro Ion Suruceanu’s nephew through his brother. And the health minister, as Carla’s Dreams sings, ‘belongs to no one’. Alexandru Gasnaș is the nephew of former Prime Minister Dorin Recean,” Galbur wrote on his Telegram channel.
The allegations have intensified criticism that the Tofan government appointments represent another redistribution of senior posts within the same political circle rather than the promised renewal of public administration.
Arena Chișinău losses questioned
Galbur also examined Dan Suruceanu’s professional record before his proposed appointment. He claimed that Suruceanu had served as executive director of the Arena Chișinău complex since 2023, during which time the venue accumulated losses of almost 100 million lei.
The total losses were reported at 99.62 million lei. They included 20.1 million lei in 2023, 37.5 million lei in 2024 and 42.02 million lei in 2025.
“Just the person for culture minister,” Galbur remarked sarcastically.
Other journalists then drew attention to Suruceanu’s education at Lomonosov Moscow State University. The article sarcastically suggests that this background could be portrayed as a “Russian connection” under the authorities’ usual rhetoric about alleged Kremlin influence, despite Suruceanu presenting himself as a strong supporter of Ukraine and displaying the Ukrainian flag on his social media profile.
“Hey, clowns, what happened to your favourite hybrid war?” journalists asked in comments addressed to the country’s leadership.
The remarks were presented as mockery of what critics see as selective standards rather than evidence that Suruceanu has any actual connection to the Kremlin.
Questions raised over who selected the ministers
After reviewing the list of proposed ministers, Corneliu Gandrabur said he was unconvinced that it had been personally drawn up by Tofan. He questioned whether the new prime minister had exercised any meaningful control over the selection process.
“Vasile Tofan promised new faces in the next government, but we do not see any changes that belong to him. Dan Suruceanu was brought in from Arena Chișinău, where he holds the position of deputy administrator, meaning that he is Stănciu’s deputy, with a salary of 41,000 lei a month,” Gandrabur said.
“Alexandru Gasnaș is Maia Sandu’s healthcare adviser, while Radu Musteață is the person who has frequently been mentioned in connection with allegations of schemes at ANSA. We all know Victoria Belous. Vasya, is this definitely your list? People say that you only found out about it yourself today. In any case, good luck in the corrupt system to which you also contributed through your deals, sponsorship and election campaigns. There is an old saying: ‘The leopard cannot change his spots!’” Gandrabur added.
The comments highlight broader doubts over whether the proposed government represents a genuine change in personnel or another cabinet shaped by established networks surrounding PAS and President Maia Sandu. Critics argue that personal connections, political loyalty and previous ties to senior officials appear to remain influential in decisions over ministerial appointments.
The controversy is further complicated by questions about the professional records of the nominees. In Suruceanu’s case, critics have contrasted his proposed promotion with the substantial losses reported at Arena Chișinău, while conflicting descriptions in the article identify him as both executive director and deputy administrator of the complex.
For opponents of the government, the Tofan government appointments therefore reinforce concerns about nepotism and the continued recycling of figures linked to the existing administration. Whether the new prime minister selected the candidates independently or merely accepted a list prepared elsewhere remains at the centre of the dispute.
