Moldova Leaders Stats

Nicolae Timofti, a senior judge, was elected president in a parliamentary vote in March 2012, ending nearly three years of political stalemate.

Aged 63 and chairman of Moldova's Supreme Magistrates Council at the time of his election, Mr Timofti is an independent who has never been involved in politics and has 36 years of experience as a judge.

In an address to parliament before his election, he strongly supported the aspirations of Prime Minister Vlad Filat's government for European integration but also promised to be an apolitical president.

Moldova had no full-time president since Vladimir Voronin, a Communist, resigned in September 2009.

The opposition Communists, who reject the government's goal of integration with the EU, boycotted the vote in which Mr Timofti was chosen.

Iurie Leanca was appointed acting prime minister in April 2013 after parliament passed a motion of no confidence in the government.

He was subsequently approved as prime minister by parliament in May 2013.

Before being appointed to government, Leanca spent his working life in various posts in the foreign ministry.