The Party of Socialists (PSRM) condemns the exclusion of Arina Korshikova from the electoral competition for mayor of the municipality of Balti, but will not withdraw its own candidate, Maxim Moroșan, who is to compete in the runoffs following this exclusion. The party’s executive secretary Igor Dodon in a press briefing said that the Socialists will struggle to win and to return the city to the inhabitants of the municipality of Balti, IPN reports.

Igor Dodon noted that when there are questions as to the election campaign of a candidate, the state institutions should act before not after the election. The exclusion of a candidate after the election is condemnable.

About the Party of Socialists’ candidate Maxim Moroșan, Igor Dodon said that this carried out a very good campaign together with the Socialist team in Balti. “Dear residents of the municipality of Balti, we invite you to the polls and ask you to support our candidate – the candidate of the Party of Socialists Maxim Moroșan,” urged Igor Dodon.

Maxim Moroșan also condemned the involvement of the central authorities in the local elections in Balti and said that he had been subject to pressure throughout the election campaign. He was, is and will remain a citizen of Balti. In the runoffs, he will contend not against the candidate put forward by “Partidul Nostru” (“Our Party”) Alexandr Petkov, but against Renato Usatyi.

According to the results of the November 5 mayoral election, Our Party’s candidate Alexandr Petkov polled 22.69% of the vote, while independent candidate Arina Korshikova – 21.52%. As Arina Korshikova was excluded, Alexandr Petkov in the runoff vote will contend against the Party of Socialists’ candidate Maxim Moroșan, who won 19.73% of the ballot.