Ion Sturza (born 9 May 1960) is a Moldovan politician and businessman who served as Prime Minister of Moldova from 19 February to 12 November 1999. On 21 December 2015, President Nicolae Timofti nominated Ion Sturza to occupy the position of prime minister for a second time.[1] However, Ion Sturza gave up the mandate, after the meeting in which his cabinet should receive the investiture vote was not held due to lack of quorum.[2]

Ion Sturza
Sturza in 2016
4th Prime Minister of Moldova
In office
12 March 1999 – 21 December 1999
PresidentPetru Lucinschi
DeputyNicolae Andronic
Oleg Stratulat
Alexandru Muravschi
Preceded byIon Ciubuc
Succeeded byDumitru Braghiș
Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova
In office
22 May 1998 – 17 February 1999
PresidentPetru Lucinschi
Prime MinisterIon Ciubuc
Preceded byValeriu Bobuțac
Succeeded byAlexandru Muravschi
Minister of Economy and Reforms
In office
22 May 1998 – 17 February 1999
PresidentPetru Lucinschi
Prime MinisterIon Ciubuc
Preceded byValeriu Bobuțac
Succeeded byAlexandru Muravschi
Member of the Moldovan Parliament
In office
9 April 1998 – 28 May 1998
Succeeded byLeonid Zaharia
Parliamentary groupDemocratic and Prosperous Moldova Electoral Bloc
Personal details
Born (1960-05-09) 9 May 1960 (age 64)
Pîrjolteni, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union
(now Moldova)
Citizenship Moldova
 Romania
Political partyAlliance for Democracy and Reforms (1998–1999)
SpouseStela Sturza
Children2
Alma materMoldova State University

Education and early professional career

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Born in Pîrjolteni, Călărași district, Ion Sturza graduated his studies in economics at the Moldova State University.[3]

Before the fall of the USSR in 1991, Sturza worked for the country’s Exterior Commerce Company. In 1991, he founded the Incon Company, based in Chișinău, which soon became one of Moldova’s largest industrial groups, operating in the food and beverages industry. He worked as the president of “FinComBank” in Chișinău and, from 1996, as the chairman of the Bank’s Steering Board. Currently, Sturza is the founder and chairman of Fribourg Capital, a private equity and venture capital fund.[citation needed]

As Prime Minister of Moldova

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Sturza in 1999

Ion Sturza gained broad political experience as he was a prominent politician in Moldova. He was selected as a member of the Parliament in 1998, and he subsequently became the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy. He served as Prime Minister from 19 February 1999 to 12 November 1999.

International position

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As former Prime Minister of Moldova he signed in 2011 the Soros open letter calling for more Europe in the single currency turmoil.[4]

In April 2016 Sturza's name was included on a list of prominent business, government and former government people around the globe in the Panama Papers.[5][6][7][8]

Civic activities

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Ion Sturza is involved in various civic activities, being an active member of several organizations and charities. Among others, he is the founder of the Family Sturza Foundation, which has a wide range of support programmes that include giving educational grants and scholarships, supporting orphanages, and sponsoring cultural events.

References

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  1. ^ "Republica Moldova: Ion Sturza, desemnat la funcţia de prim-ministru". Capital. 21 December 2015.
  2. ^ Mihai Draghici (4 January 2016). "Criza politică de la Chişinău continuă. Ce s-a întâmplat în Parlament când premierul-desemnat a venit pentru votul de învestitură". Gândul.
  3. ^ Omul care l-a făcut miliardar pe Patriciu Archived 2008-07-02 at the Wayback Machine, in Evenimentul Zilei, July 1, 2008
  4. ^ As concerned Europeans we urge eurozone leaders to unite. in Financial Times Oct, 12, 2011. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7d85abd2-f353-11e0-b11b-00144feab49a.html#axzz2V9igldQZ
  5. ^ "#PanamaPapers: Conexiunile offshore ale fostului premier Ion Sturza". RISE Moldova. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016.
  6. ^ "RISE Moldova: Legătura dintre Ion Sturza, Panama Papers și companiile offshore". Agora. April 4, 2016.
  7. ^ "Rise.md: #PanamaPapers. Conexiunile offshore ale lui Ion Sturza. Proiectul de investigatie globala il are in vizor si pe fostul premier". Pro TV Chișinău. April 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "RISE Moldova: [#PanamaPapers] Conexiunile offshore ale fostului premier Ion Sturza". HotNews.ro. April 4, 2016.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Economy
1998–1999
Succeeded by
Alexandru Muravschi
Preceded by Prime Minister of Moldova
1999
Succeeded by