The local elections set for June 14 will bring greater clarity as regards the ratio of political forces in Moldova, considers political analyst Ion Tabarata. He anticipated that the government could be reconfigured in autumn.
“In last year’s parliamentary elections, Russia strengthened its position in Moldova by creating a pro-Russian party, of the Socialists, and now wants to continue the political offensive in the coming local elections. A pro-Russian Governor was already elected in Gagauzia. Russia will try to weaken the base in order to obtain the ousting of the government so that we do not have a pro-European, but a pro-Russian power. Therefore, the election campaign will be harsh,” the analyst stated for IPN.
Ion Tabarta said the pro-Russian forces of the country join together. He made reference to a picture showing Igor Dodon together with Renato Usatyi, who are the main pro-Russian leaders in Moldova. “It is anticipated that they will divide the electoral targets. Most probably, Dodon will ‘besiege’ the Chisinau City Hall, being supported by Usatyi, while Renato Usatyi will compete for the post of mayor of Balti, banking on the support of the Socialists,” he stated.
The analyst also said that the mayoralty of Chisinau counts a lot for the Liberal Party whose institutional skeleton is based on the Chisinau City Hall. This party became important after Dorin Chirtoaca won the mayoralty and the City Hall then became a shield for the Liberals to enter Parliament. The ruling coalition hasn’t yet fielded candidates.
Ion Tabarta thinks Dorin Chirtoaca has now fewer trump cards than Igor Dodon compared with 2011. Chirtoaca experiences rather political stagnation, while Dodon ascends. “Dodon entered Parliament with a considerable score and aims higher. This party is in the ascendant and wants to come to power, while the Chisinau City Hall is an important stage in achieving this objective. Igor Dodon seems to be the favorite for the mayoralty of Chisinau, but we should not forget that Chisinau managed to resist even under the Communist regime. They vote politically here and this political character of the vote may help now Dorin Chirtoaca,” he stated.
As to Iurie Leanca’s European People’s Party of Moldova, the analyst said this party may not get registration by the local elections, but some of its members could run for the posts of mayor and councilor independently. Iurie Leanca can win in Chisinau if he runs for the mayoralty here.
