[- Dear Mayor Chirtoaca, you have said many a time publicly you will investigate certain cases that you called abuses and illegalities committed by the previous occupants of the city offices and that you will try to right those wrongs. As examples, let us mention the waste of several millions of lei used to purchase low-quality festive flags by avoiding public procurement standard procedures, the damages paid to the illegally dismissed and subsequently reinstated public officials like Deputy Mayor Mihai Furtuna, Secretary Vladimir Sarban, Chief Architect Vladimir Modarca, and many others. You said then you would make the guilty persons compensate for the damages incurred by the municipal budget. Well, several moths have passed since you made those statements.] - The results of the internal investigations are and will be posted on the City Hall’s site as they are completed. To recuperate the damages incurred by the budget, the municipality will initiate legal proceedings against the officials that abused their authority after the courts ascertain the illegalities. [- In the same context, why do you think the City Council didn’t take action after hearing a report on the mismanagement of public money used to recondition the Eternity Memorial, and why didn’t the Mayor express his position on this issue?] - It was a non-priority budget expenditure assumed by the previous administration, especially as the funds were indeed mismanaged, while the quality of the repair leaves a lot to be desired. However, the procedure was strictly followed by the City Council when it allocated the funds. Of course, it would have been better if the money had been used for other purposes. [- Mayor Chirtoaca, what are your priorities in managing the city?] - To ensure the functionality of the current administration despite the difficult situation that surrounds it, to improve the situation in areas like city clean-up, street lighting, public transport, and implement investment projects. [- What do you think you managed to do in Chisinau in almost half a year since in office, and by which means?] - To rectify and modify the normative framework intended to improve conditions for economic entities and public utilities; to prepare the city for the cold season, in particular the housing sector; to put in place mechanisms for ensuring a better management of public utilities and higher levels of service provided to the population. [- What do you think you didn’t cope with and why?] - At least the launch of some projects, owing to the fact that the municipality has large debts that must be settled… We are now dealing with inherited problems, projects carried out without any financial coverage. [- What can you say about the team you are working with? In fact, is there any to support you?] - It is a mixed team composed of people with experience in city management as well as new staff recruited after this summer’s local elections. [- Can you please describe your management style?] - Freedom balanced with responsibility. [- Has anything changed in Chisinau since you took office or will the promised changes occur in the foreseeable future?] - Let’s leave it to the citizens to be the judge of that. [- You was one of the most ardent advocates of the reporters of the municipal stations Antena C and Euro TV during their disbandment, when you were in opposition. In almost half a year since you took office, you have refrained from making statements and taking steps which would suggest that the reporters and their audience will see “the truth triumph”, as Deputy Mayor Lucia Culev declared. Is the subject dead and buried now?] - With lots of effort, the attitude of the City Hall in court has been changed so as to benefit the reporters. I will refrain from making early statements, I wish that the two stations could become again municipal property, but it’s not only up to the City Hall. [- You have made some statements about the role of the media in the society, especially in covering the city’s social life, which were very much appreciated by the journalist community. None of the public officials before you made such professional and trenchant statements, revealing an informed opinion and knowledge of European standards. But please tell us, what should a journalist take into account in his efforts to reach you earlier than in a month’s time, like it happened in the case of the present interview?] - My very busy agenda.