Loretta Handrabura, the vice president on social matters of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and a member of the Political Bureau and the National Council, announced her withdrawal from the party on March 22. “I made such a decision because, first, I do not consider myself a member of the current PSD team anymore; second, I cannot accept some of the principles, values and initiatives that have been and are promoted during the current election campaign as they run counter to the statute, program and election platform and do not correspond to my personal political convictions and values,” Loretta Handrabura says in a statement issued by her. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, the PSD president Dumitru Braghis said that “all the party’s initiatives are in accordance with the statute, program and election platform.” “Mrs Handrabura has probably other reasons for leaving the party. When the election campaign is over, we will discuss with her and see. Maybe, she changes up her mind,” Dumitru Braghis said. Loretta Handrabura had been a member of the Social Democratic Party, in the PSDM form, since 1992. From 2000, she had held different posts: president of the Women’s Organization (2000 - 2007), a member of the Political Bureau, president of the National Council (2006-2008). Since 2007, Handrabura has been a Chisinau councilor representing the PSD. She said she will remain a municipal councilor in order to carry out all her projects.