Moldova capital’s new mayor calls for pro-EU government
Local elections were seen as a test of whether country moves closer to the EU or to Russia
The new, pro-European Union mayor of Moldova’s capital called yesterday for the former Soviet republic to renew efforts to form a proEuropean government.
Dorin Chirtoaca, who is also deputy chairman of the Liberal Party, told Radio Chisinau that Moldova should have a new government in place by the end of August to avoid an early election.
Parliament has until September 12 to approve a new government after former Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici resigned June 12 amid a probe into the authenticity of his high school and university degrees.
“Today a new pro-European offensive starts from Chisinau and in all of Moldova,” the 38-year-old Chirtoaca said. “The pro-European path should go all the way.”
Sunday’s local elections were seen as a test of whether Moldova moves closer to the EU or to Russia.
Major boost
Chirtoaca’s victory was a boost for Moldova’s pro-European parties, who hold have 55 of the 101 seats in parliament yet struggle to remain united. ProEuropean parties won 17 counties on Sunday while parties that want more cooperation with Moscow took 11 counties.
Final results gave Chirtoaca 53.5 per cent of the vote to 46.5 per cent for his pro-Russian challenger, Zinaida Greceanai, a former prime minister.
Moldova last year signed an association agreement with the 28-nation EU, angering Russia.
Chirtoaca, who won another four-year mandate, has been mayor of this city of 1 million since 2007.
However, leader of the Socialists’ Party, Igor Dodon, claimed the ballot was flawed by irregularities. He said the pro-Europeans were “celebrating too soon”.
Runoffs were being held in 458 towns across the country.