The President of the Republic of Moldova is the head of state, representing the nation internationally and serving as the supreme commander of the armed forces. Operating within a parliamentary republic, the president safeguards state sovereignty, mediates between state powers, and designates a candidate for prime minister following consultations with parliamentary factions. The office was established on September 3, 1990, with Mircea Snegur serving as the country's first president. Between 2000 and 2016, the position was elected by parliament before a Constitutional Court ruling reinstated direct popular elections.