Moldova’s president appoints defence and security adviser as PM designate

Moldovan Prime Minister designate Dorin Recean speaks after being appointed by President Maia Sandu, left, to form a new government (Aurel Obreja/AP)

Moldova’s president has asked her defence and security adviser to succeed Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita who resigned only 18 months into a tenure tested by the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

President Maia Sandu told a news conference that members of Ms Gavrilita’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) accepted her choice of , pro-Western economist Dorin Recean to be the new prime minister.