MOLDOVA’S president named businessman and former minister Dorin Recean as the country’s prime minister-designate today after the top government position was left vacant.

Former PM Natalia Gavrilita unexpectedly resigned this morning, 18 months into her crisis-wracked tenure.

Moldova has been facing an energy crisis after Moscow reduced supplies and skyrocketing inflation hit in the wake of Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

Reports have also emerged of rockets traversing Moldova’s skies.

President Maia Sandu told a news conference that members of the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity accepted her choice of Mr Recean as the new PM.

Mr Recean, who served as interior minister from 2012-15, will have 15 days to form a new government to present to parliament for a vote.

Following her resignation, Ms Gavrilita said: “I took over the government with an anti-corruption, pro-development and pro-European mandate at a time when corruption schemes had captured all the institutions and the oligarchs felt untouchable.

“We were immediately faced with energy blackmail.

“The bet of the enemies of our country was that we would act like previous governments, who gave up energy interests, who betrayed the national interest in exchange for short-term benefits.”