The geopolitical factor helped Dorin Chirtoaca win the third term as mayor general of Chisinau municipality, said experts invited to the talk show “Moldova live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports.

Director of the Institute of Public Policy Arcadie Barbarosie considers the Russian factor was the decisive one that influenced the outcome of the mayoral elections in Chisinau. “The fear that the Socialists could win the elections made many residents of Chisinau to go and vote. I think at least half of Chirtoaca’s supporters voted rather the pro-European course. Even in the first round of the local elections, many gave up voting the preferred candidate and voted for Chirtoaca for fear that Zinaida Grecheanyi could win by the first round of voting,” he stated.

The expert advised Chirtoaca to pay more attention to the management system. “Dorin Chirtoaca is ultimately a politician, not a manger. He should analyze the practice of the administrative bodies of other European and American towns, where the mayors elected according to political criteria hire skilled managers,” said Barbarosie.

Political analyst Petru Bogatu believes the pro-European orientation of most of the residents of Chisinau inclined the balance in favor of Dorn Chirtoaca. “I think that Dorin Chirtoaca is a promising politician and his career will not stop at the Chisinau City Hall. But he can do more and can impose his will. The geopolitical factor brought him a majority of votes. I also consider an expert manager should be employed,” he stated.