Eight local elected officials of different ranks from Ocnita town and Ocnita district announced their defection from the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM) to the Democratic Party (PDM), IPN reports, quoting a political statement signed by two village mayors, two town councilors and four district councilors.

The signatories of the statement say they took such a decision due to the people’s disappointment and to the necessity of strengthening the progressive and pro-European forces. 

“Considering the political and socioeconomic situation in Moldova, which led to the lack of a clear view on the country’s future and to an atmosphere of disappointment among the people, we, the undersigned - mayors and councilors of Ocnita district from the list of the PLDM - realize that the membership in this party, whose leaders are involved in corruption scandals, is no longer possible. Therefore, we consider that all the progressive and pro-European forces like the team of the PDM should unite. Together with the PDM, we will continue the political activity so as to modernize the country according to the European model,” reads the political statement.

The document was signed on March 18, 2016, but was disseminated by the local press in the evening of March 29.