The Bloc of Communists and Socialists says it will be seeking justice at the European Court of Human Rights after the Constitutional Court did not validate the mandate of one of its alternate candidates.

“For the first time in the history of the Republic of Moldova, a deputy’s mandate offered to the Bloc of Communists and Socialists by the voters was not validated. This means that for a significant period of time, our opposition group will be short of one MP”, the Socialists said in a statement.

“The Constitutional Court failed to present any pertinent legal argument, so the decision can be considered purely political, taken on the orders of, and to the benefit of Maia Sandu’s party”.

“The court decision regarding the mandate of municipal councilor previously held by Svetlana Popa has no legal connection with a Member of Parliament mandate. At the same time, Svetlana Popa presented the findings of the superior court, which established the lack of objections in relation to Mrs. Popa. However, no legal argument was taken into account by the Constitutional Court, the decision being approved based on purely political arguments”, the Socialists argue.

The Constitutional Court did not validate the MP mandate of Svetlana Popa, earlier barred from holding the position of Chisinau City councilor. The Court concluded that “the deprivation of the right to hold a position of authority”, including that of Chisinau City councilor, falls under the provision of article 16(2)(d) of the Electoral Code, which prohibits the sanctioned person from seeking elective positions, such as president of Moldova, Member of Parliament, mayor, councilor in local councils, etc.

A seat in the Com-Soc group became vacant after MP Adrian Lebedinschi resigned.