The Party “Patria” will not take part in the June 14 local elections and will not have members included on the lists of other election contenders, the party’s leader Emilian Ciobu said on May 14, accusing the government of financial blackmail against “Patria”, IPN reports.

The party, which had Renato Usatyi at the top of its list of candidates for the November 30, 2014 legislative elections, was accused of using money from abroad in the campaign prior to the elections and was removed from the electoral race several days before the elections. Emilian Ciobu said it is known that the decision was taken by order of the current government coalition. As a result, tens of hounds of voters were deprived of the right to vote.

“The government uses financial blackmail to prevent us from taking part in the local elections,” stated Emilian Ciobu, adding that the civil society organizations should unite in order to strengthen control over the authorities. The party’s members called on the people not to vote for the pro-European parties, which, according to them, are responsible for the stealing of billions of lei from the Moldovan banks. Closer to the election day, the party will present its voting option so as to direct its sympathizers.

Shortly before the November 2014 parliamentary elections, the court decided to annul the registration of the Party “Patria” and to confiscate the 8 million lei from abroad used by the party in its election campaign. The application to exclude the party from the electoral race was submitted to the Appeals Court by the Central Election Commission following a notification from the General Police Inspectorate concerning the use by this party of electoral funds from abroad.