The March 27 congress of the Humanist Party decided to rename the party People's Democratic Party of Moldova (PPDM) and approved the party's new statutes and program, Info-Prim Neo reports. PPDM deputy head Ion Mereuta told a news conference on March 29 that the congress discussed issues concerning the election of the executive bodies and the party's participation in the local elections. Valeriu Pasat was elected as chairman of the party. According to Ion Mereuta, the PPDM will provide a model of competent government different from the previous and existing ones. In the same news conference, Valeriu Pasat said that the name of the People's Democratic Party offers the possibility of extending the discussions with the country's population. “It is a doctrine that allows harmoniously combining the ideas of liberalism and the socialist doctrine,” he stated. Valeriu Pasat also said that the party remains pro-Russia, stressing that the Moldovan-Russian relations are now very bad. “We must take steps to improve these relations. Many countries struggle to penetrate the Russian market, while Moldova becomes estranged from Russia,” he said. According to the PPDM's head, about 6,000 members of the 8,000 remained after the party was restructured. The party's administration rules out the possibility of merging with other parties at this stage. The party will soon found a local organization in Transnistria. As to the future local elections, Valeriu Pasat said the party has not yet selected a candidate for mayor of Chisinau.