The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (, PLDM) is a conservative political party in Moldova. The party is led by Tudor Deliu. Until 2016, PLDM was led by Vlad Filat, who was Prime Minister of Moldova from 2009 to 2013, in two cabinets. Immediately after the 2014 parliamentary elections, with 21 seats in the Moldovan Parliament, PLDM was the largest of the three democratic pro-European parliamentary parties.
The party's founding congress was held on 8 December 2007 and Vlad Filat was elected as president. The initiative group of the party was centered on Filat, who had previously been a prominent member of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM), who was disappointed with the direction taken by that political party under Dumitru Diacov's leadership. Soon, many local branches of the Christian Democratic Popular Party (PPCD), disappointed with Iurie Roșca's policy of cooperation with the Communist Party of Moldova (PCRM), joined PLDM en masse. The party also attracted many prominent members of civil society.
At its first election, in April 2009, PLDM won 15 seats, which increased to 18 three months later, after which Filat became the Prime Minister, leading the Alliance for European Integration (AIE). In November 2010, the PLDM jumped to 32 seats, becoming the dominant non-Communist party. The AIE was replaced by the Pro-European Coalition in 2013, when Iurie Leancă replaced Filat as Prime Minister, with Filat remaining as the party chairman.
History
On October 8, 2007, the initiative group composed of 53 leaders renowned in their fields, launched the idea of creating the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova. The leaders of the group included: Vlad Filat, Deputy in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova; Alexandru Tănase, member of the Bar Association of the Republic of Moldova, Chișinău Municipal Council adviser; Mihai Godea, Director of CONTACT Center; Iulian Fruntasu, Director of European Initiatives Programme at Soros Foundation;, Angela Braşoveanu, director of "Punkt" magazine; Veaceslav Negruță, consultant, Project on Improving Competitiveness; Valeriu Streleț, Director of "Bioprotect" company; Veronica Lupu, president of the Association "Women for Contemporary Society"; Andrei Malașevschi, Cantemir district president; Nicolae Platon, chief of the State Tax Inspectorate; Liliana Bolocan, head of the Department of Psychology, Institute for Continuing Education; Ion Sturza, vice-president of Nisporeni district; Victor Rosca, director of the Tolerance and Pluralism Promotion Center, etc.
In their statements, the initiative group members acknowledged the profound crisis in the Republic of Moldova and the inability of political parties to face the situation. The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova emerged as a capable alternative to start the process of moral reorganization of the political class, rebirth and modernization of the country, reestablishment of the society back on its natural track of democratic development.
For two months, over 20,000 citizens from all districts of the country submitted applications to join the Liberal Democratic Party. Organizations were created in all territorial-administrative units of the second level in Chișinău, Bălți, Tiraspol, Bender and Gagauzia.
The first founding Congress of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova took place on December 8, 2007 in Chișinău. It was attended by 592 delegates from 38 local organizations. The Congress approved the Program and Statute and elected the governing and control bodies of the party. The second Congress of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova took place on September 27, 2008, in Bălți. It was attended by 547 delegates from local party organizations. The Congress debated the issues related to the work of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova between the congresses, amending and supplementing the Statute of PLDM, as well as issues related to Moldova current domestic situation. The Liberal Democratic Teachers Association was formed within the party on September 13, 2008 and on October 11, 2008 – the Liberal Democratic Doctors and Pharmacists Association. Formation of socio-professional associations within the party is stipulated in the statute of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova.