{{Short description|Prime Minister of Moldova from 2009 to 2013}} {{redirect|Filat}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Vlad Filat | image = Vlad Filat 2023.png | caption = Filat in 2023 | office = 8th Prime Minister of Moldova | president = Mihai Ghimpu (acting)<br/>Himself (acting)<br/>Marian Lupu (acting)<br/>Nicolae Timofti | deputy = {{Collapsible list | title=''See list'' | Iurie Leancă | Valeriu Lazăr | Victor Osipov | Ion Negrei | Eugen Carpov | Mihai Moldovanu }} | term_start = 25 September 2009 | term_end = 25 April 2013 | predecessor = Vitalie Pîrlog (acting) | successor = Iurie Leancă | office1 = Acting President of Moldova | term_start1 = 28 December 2010 | term_end1 = 30 December 2010 | prime_minister1 = Himself | president1 = | predecessor1 = Mihai Ghimpu (acting) | successor1 = Marian Lupu (acting) | office2 = President of the Liberal Democratic Party | term_start2 = 2 July 2023 | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = Iulian David (acting) | term_start3 = 16 August 2020 | term_end3 = 29 April 2021 | predecessor3 = Tudor Deliu | successor3 = Iulian David (acting) | term_start4 = 8 December 2007 | term_end4 = 27 May 2016 | successor4 = Viorel Cibotaru | office5 = Minister of State | president5 = Petru Lucinschi | prime_minister5 = Ion Sturza | term_start5 = 12 March 1999 | term_end5 = 21 December 1999 | predecessor5 = Nicolae Cernomaz | successor5 = Victor Bodiu (2009) | office6 = Member of the Moldovan Parliament | term_start6 = 9 December 2014 | term_end6 = 15 December 2016 | successor6 = Simion Grișciuc | parliamentary_group6 = Liberal Democratic Party | term_start7 = 24 December 2010 | term_end7 = 14 February 2011 | successor7 = Elena Frumosu | parliamentary_group7 = Liberal Democratic Party | term_start8 = 17 March 2005 | term_end8 = 25 September 2009 | successor8 = Ivan Ionaș | parliamentary_group8 = Democratic Moldova Electoral Bloc<br/>Democratic Party<br/>Liberal Democratic Party | birth_name = Vladimir Filat | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|5|6|df=yes}} | birth_place = Lăpușna, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union<br />{{small|(now Moldova)}} | citizenship = {{MDA}}<br />{{ROM}} | party = Democratic Party {{small|(1997–2007)}}<br />Liberal Democratic Party {{small|(2007–2016), (2020–present)}} | other_party = Alliance for Democracy and Reforms {{small|(1998–1999)}}<br />Alliance for European Integration {{small|(2009–present)}} | spouse = Sanda Filat {{small|(Divorced 2012)}}<br />Angela Gonța {{small|(2014–2016)}} | children = 3 | alma_mater = University of Iași }}
'''Vladimir Filat''' (born 6 May 1969), commonly referred to as '''Vlad Filat''' ({{IPA|ro|ˈvlad fiˈlat|lang}}), is a Moldovan businessman, politician, and tycoon and founder of Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova. He was Prime Minister of Moldova from 25 September 2009 to 25 April 2013. He also was appointed as the interim president of Moldova for a brief period of time in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://unimedia.info/stiri/-13413.html | title=Guvernul Filat a fost investit cu votul a 53 de deputaţi AIE. Şeful SIS a fos demis de către Parlament. Noul director este Mihai Gheorghe | date=2009-09-25 | access-date=2013-05-10}}</ref> Following his conviction on charges of accepting bribes, Filat was released from jail in December 2019, 6 years earlier than his initial sentence.
==Education and early career== Vlad is the second child of Maria and Vasile Filat and was born on May 6, 1969, in Lăpușna, a commune in the Moldavian SSR. Alongside his two sisters (Ala and Valentina) and brother Ion, Vlad grew up in a part of Lăpușna called "Talcioc". In 1986, he graduated from high school in his hometown. Between 1986 and 1987, he worked at the school radio station until he was called up for military service. He carried out his compulsory military service in the Soviet Army (May 8, 1987 – August 15, 1989), in Simferopol and Sevastopol. He served in the KGB's Border Troops, holding the rank of private first class and being decorated by his KGB superiors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ziaristionline.ro/2011/01/28/vladimir-vlad-filat-premierul-moldovei-recrut-fruntas-in-trupele-kgb-foto/|title=Vladimir (Vlad) Filat, premierul Moldovei, recrut fruntas in trupele KGB.}}</ref>
From 1989 to 1990, he studied at the Cooperation College (''Kooperativny technikum'') of Chișinău, going on to study law at the University of Iași (1990–1994). As a student, he was the leader of the "League of students from Bessarabia in Romania", an organization formed by Moldovan students in Romania. In Iași, among his classmates was Alexandru Tănase. While he was a student in Iași, he met his wife Sanda in the autumn of 1991; they dated for only three months before they married.
Between 1994 and 1998, Vlad Filat initiated and conducted more business in Romania. He was general director of "RoMold Trading SRL" in Iași (1994–1997) and the president of the Administrative Council of "Dosoftei" company in Iași (1997–1998).
==Early political activity== Filat was a member of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) from 1997, when the party was founded, until 2007. Having returned to Moldova for good in 1998, he was appointed general director of the Department of Privatization and State Property Administration from the Ministry of Economy and Reform of the Government of the Republic of Moldova (1998–1999).
He was a State minister in the Ion Sturza cabinet of Alliance for Democracy and Reforms from 12 March 1999, to 12 November 1999. In 2000, Filat was elected vice-president of the Democratic Party (PDM). In the 2005 parliamentary election, he became a member of the Moldovan Parliament. Until March 2009, he was vice-president of the Parliamentary Commission for Security, Public Order, and Defense. He was also a member of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.
He ran for Mayor of Chișinău in the 2007 local election and won 8.32% of the vote, in fourth place. Soon after the local election, in September 2007, he left the Democratic Party after ten years of political activity inside the party. Filat has been the president of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova since December 2007.
== 2009 Moldovan parliamentary elections == {{main|April 2009 Moldovan parliamentary election|July 2009 Moldovan parliamentary election}}
In the April 2009 parliamentary election, his party won 15 seats and in the July 2009 parliamentary election PLDM became the second largest party in the country with 18 seats and the first party within the Alliance For European Integration (AIE).
== Alliance for European Integration == {{main|Alliance for European Integration}}
After the July 2009 parliamentary election, alongside Mihai Ghimpu, Marian Lupu, and Serafim Urechean, Vlad Filat signed the Alliance For European Integration (AIE) in a press-conference on August 8, 2009. Towards the end of August 2009, he became the candidate of the Alliance For European Integration (AIE) for the position of Prime Minister of Moldova.
== Prime minister == {{main|Prime Minister of Moldova|Cabinet of Moldova|Vlad Filat Cabinet (disambiguation){{!}}Vlad Filat Cabinet}}
The Constitutional Court of Moldova confirmed earlier on September 17, 2009 the legitimacy of Mihai Ghimpu's position as Acting President of Moldova, which gave him the right to nominate a prime minister. On the same day, Ghimpu signed a decree nominating Filat for the office of prime minister. Earlier on September 17, the parliament approved a new government structure; according to the draft structure, the number of ministries remains unchanged at 16 but their names and responsibilities have been changed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antena3.ro/stiri/moldova/parlamentul-republicii-moldova-a-aprobat-structura-noului-guvern-vlad-filat-noul-premier_80430.html|title=Parlamentul Republicii Moldova a aprobat structura noului Guvern: Vlad Filat, noul premier}}</ref>
The Alliance for European Integration gave a vote of confidence to the new government headed by PM Vladimir Filat at a plenary meeting on September 25, 2009.
On March 8, 2013 Filat was dismissed by motion of censure following charges of corruption, abuse of power and influence peddling.<ref>[http://www.parlament.md/LegislationDocument.aspx?Id=928a2109-946a-4dfa-8caf-797bb43620c3 Moțiune de cenzură asupra activității Guvernului]</ref> In spite of this, President Nicolae Timofti decreed that members of the government should continue to exert their public duties until a new government were to be formed.<ref>[http://lex.justice.md/index.php?action=view&view=doc&lang=1&id=347106 Decretul nr. 534-VII, privind demisia Guvernului]</ref>
Subsequently, on April 10, 2013 the President nominated Vlad Filat as a candidate for prime minister, authorizing him with the mission of forming a new government. However, on April 22, 2013, the Constitutional Court ruled that this decree is unconstitutional, stating that a prime minister ousted by vote of no confidence following suspicions of corruption cannot further perform this duty and that the president has the constitutional obligation to appoint in the interim capacity a member of the government whose integrity was not affected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constcourt.md/libview.php?l=ro&idc=7&id=428&t=/Prezentare-generala/Serviciul-de-presa/Noutati/Mentinerea-in-functie-a-Prim-ministrului-unui-Guvern-demis-pentru-motive-de-coruptie-este-neconstitutionala|title=Menţinerea în funcţie a Prim-ministrului unui Guvern demis pentru motive de corupţie este neconstituţională|date=22 April 2013 }}</ref>
The president appointed Iurie Leancă as acting prime minister on April 25, 2013.
== Arrest and accusations of corruption == Filat was stripped of his immunity and handcuffed in parliament on October 15, 2015.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-moldova-protests-filat-idUSKCN0S91BY20151015|title=Moldova detains former PM in parliament over $1 billion fraud|author=Alexander Tanas|date=15 October 2015|work=Reuters}}</ref> He was investigated for the 2014 Moldovan bank fraud scandal and accused of having taken bribes of about $250 million from Ilan Shor, who was chairman of the board at Savings Bank from April to November 28, 2014.
Filat has denied wrongdoing and said the allegations against him are politically motivated.<ref name="Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty">{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-ex-pm-immunity-lifted-fraud-probe/27308192.html|title=Moldova's Ex-PM Detained After Parliament Lifts His Immunity|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=15 October 2015 }}</ref>
On June 27, 2016, Vlad Filat was sentenced to 9 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-moldova-filat-court/moldovan-court-jails-ex-pm-for-nine-years-for-abuse-of-power-idUSKCN0ZD1XM|title=Moldovan court jails ex-PM for nine years for abuse of power|work=Reuters|date=27 June 2016 }}</ref>
In February 2019, Filat's son was ordered to pay nearly half a million pounds after an investigation by the UK National Crime Agency found that he had paid £390,000 up front for a lavish apartment in the Knightsbridge area of London and £200,000 for a Bentley Bentayga. With no registered income in the UK, three bank accounts belonging to his son were frozen under Criminal Finances Act 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/1565-son-of-moldova-s-ex-pm-renting-1000-per-day-knightsbridge-apartment-forced-to-hand-over-nearly-half-a-million-pounds|title=National Crime Agency - Son of Moldova's ex-PM renting £1000 per day Knightsbridge apartment forced to hand over nearly half a million pounds|website=www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk|access-date=2019-02-08|archive-date=2019-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124154/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/1565-son-of-moldova-s-ex-pm-renting-1000-per-day-knightsbridge-apartment-forced-to-hand-over-nearly-half-a-million-pounds|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Honours==
* {{Flag|Moldova}} – Order of the Republic (December 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publika.md/vlad-filat-a-fost-decorat-cu-ordinul-republicii--uite-pentru-ce-merite_1741431.html|title=Vlad Filat a fost decorat cu "Ordinul Republicii".|date=17 June 2015|work=PUBLIKA.MD|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524020907/http://www.publika.md/vlad-filat-a-fost-decorat-cu-ordinul-republicii--uite-pentru-ce-merite_1741431.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{Flag|Romania}} – Grand Cross of the National Order of Faithful Service<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ziarulnational.md/presedintele-basescu-i-a-acordat-o-distinctie-lui-vlad-filat/|title=Președintele Băsescu le-a acordat DISTINCȚII lui Vlad Filat, deputatei Maria Ciobanu și scriitorului Iulian Filip|work=ziarulnational.md|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> (25 November 2014) * {{Flag|Georgia}} – Order of Excellence<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timpul.md/articol/vlad-filat-a-fost-decorat-de-saakasvili-51812.html|title=Vlad Filat a fost decorat de Saakașvili|work=Timpul - Știri din Moldova|date=27 November 2013 |access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> (November 2013)
== Personal life == Filat divorced Sanda Filat in August 2012, a psychologist. They have two children.<ref name="copii">{{cite web|url=http://protv.md/stiri/entertainment/la-brat-cu-cei-doi-copii-ai-sai-cum-a-aparut-sanda-filat-la-ceremonia---477131.html |title=La brat cu cei doi copii ai sai. Cum a aparut Sanda Filat la ceremonia de lansare a fundatie Bach |publisher=ProTV.md |date=2014-03-21 |access-date=2014-03-28}}</ref>
In January 2014, Vlad Filat married former Pro TV Chișinău presenter<ref>[http://protv.md/stiri/entertainment/angela-gonta-se-retrage-de-la-pupitrul-stirilor-vedeta-pro-tv---246291.html Angela Gonta se retrage de la pupitrul stirilor. Vedeta PRO TV se marita cu Vlad Filat], Pro TV Chișinău, 15.12.2013 19:51</ref> Angela Gonța.<ref name="CunAdevărul">{{cite web|url=http://adevarul.ro/moldova/actualitate/vlad-filat-angela-gonta-fost-cununati-manastirea-curchi-mitropolitul-vladimir-1_52f259ecc7b855ff5618f24a/index.html|title=Vlad Filat și Angela Gonța au fost cununați la Mănăstirea Curchi de Mitropolitul Vladimir|work=adevarul.ro|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="CunJurnal">{{Cite web |url=http://jurnal.md/ro/news/vlad-filat-i-angela-gon-a-s-au-cununat-1163290/ |title=Vlad Filat și Angela Gonța s-au cununat |access-date=2016-04-20 |archive-date=2014-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904114047/http://jurnal.md/ro/news/vlad-filat-i-angela-gon-a-s-au-cununat-1163290/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://inprofunzime.md/stiri/politic/vlad-filat-si-angela-gonta-s-au-casatorit-cine-le-au-fost-nasii.html |title=Vlad Filat si Angela Gonta s-au casatorit! Anuntul facut de politician: Cine le-au fost nasi |publisher=Inprofunzime.md |date=2013-12-27 |access-date=2014-02-06}}</ref> In June 2014<ref>[http://ziarulnational.md/angela-gonta-a-nascut/ Angela Gonța a NĂSCUT], ziarulnational.md</ref> Vlad Filat and Angela Gonța became parents with birth of their daughter.<ref name="copilFB">{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/angela.gonta/posts/802127959811074|title=Facebook|work=facebook.com|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="copilperfecte">{{cite web|url=http://perfecte.md/article/family/poarta-numele-unei-sfinte-iata-cum-o-cheama-pe-fetita-angelei---588381.html|title=Poarta numele unei sfinte! Iata cum o cheama pe fiica Angelei Gonta si a lui Vlad Filat|work=perfecte.md|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="copilpentruea">{{cite web|url=http://pentruea.md/article/angela-gonta-si-vlad-filat-au-dezvaluit-prenumele-copilului-iata-cum-se-numeste-fetita--6386.html|title=Angela Gonța și Vlad Filat au dezvăluit prenumele copilului! Iată cum se numește fetița!|work=ea.md|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-date=15 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615010854/http://pentruea.md/article/angela-gonta-si-vlad-filat-au-dezvaluit-prenumele-copilului-iata-cum-se-numeste-fetita--6386.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="copilkankan">{{cite web|url=http://www.kankan.md/cum-si-a-numit-angela-gonta-fetita-jurnalista-a-scris-un-mesaj-emotionant-pe-facebook/|title=Cum și-a numit Angela Gonța fetița! Jurnalista a scris un mesaj emoționant pe Facebook|work=kankan|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-date=15 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615162233/http://www.kankan.md/cum-si-a-numit-angela-gonta-fetita-jurnalista-a-scris-un-mesaj-emotionant-pe-facebook/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"> File:Filat and Van Rompuy.jpg|Filat and Herman Van Rompuy File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Summit September 2010 (69).jpg|Traian Băsescu and Filat File:EPP Summit March 2011 (63).jpg|Mikheil Saakashvili and Filat File:EPP Summit March 2011 Tymoshenko.jpg|Filat and Yulia Tymoshenko File:Filat and Barroso.jpg|Filat and José Manuel Barroso File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Summit September 2010 (27).jpg|Filat and Mart Laar File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP summit 494.jpg|Sali Berisha, Nikola Gruevski and Filat File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - varia 022.jpg|Wilfried Martens and Filat File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Summit September 2010 (23).jpg|Filat and Valdis Dombrovskis File:2nd EPP EaP Summit (8235465148).jpg|Filat and Serzh Sargsyan File:EPP Congress Marseille 5952 (6472494933).jpg|Filat at the EPP Congress Marseille (2011) File:EPP Summit, 14 Mar. 2013 (8556356321).jpg|Filat at the EPP Summit (2013) </gallery>
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Vlad Filat}} * {{Official website|http://www.filat.md}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Vitalie Pîrlog<br />{{small|Acting}}}} {{s-ttl|title=Prime Minister of Moldova|years=2009–2013}} {{s-aft|after=Iurie Leancă}} |- {{s-bef|before=Mihai Ghimpu<br />{{small|Acting}}}} {{s-ttl|title=President of Moldova<br />{{small|Acting}}|years=2010}} {{s-aft|after=Marian Lupu<br />{{small|Acting}}}} {{s-end}}
{{MoldovanPresidents}} {{Prime Ministers of Moldova}} {{Second Filat Cabinet}} {{Vlad Filat Cabinet}} {{Alliance for European Integration}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Filat, Vlad}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:Acting presidents of Moldova Category:Alexandru Ioan Cuza University alumni Category:Cooperation College of Chișinău alumni Category:Democratic Party of Moldova MPs Category:Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova MPs Category:Moldovan businesspeople Category:Moldovan jurists Category:Moldovan MPs 2005–2009 Category:Moldovan MPs 2009 Category:Moldovan MPs 2009–2010 Category:Moldovan MPs 2010–2014 Category:Moldovan MPs 2014–2019 Category:People from Hîncești District Category:Prime ministers of Moldova Category:Heads of state and government who were later imprisoned Category:Soviet Army personnel Category:Romanian people of Moldovan descent