Coming together in Strasbourg, representatives of the local and regional authorities of Europe noted the cancellation of the result of the local elections held in Chisinau on 20 May 2018 generated further uncertainty and frustration among the population and wider lack of trust in State institutions.

The findings of a Delegation by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe that assessed the early local elections held on 20 May in seven Moldovan municipalities including the two largest cities, Chișinău and Balti, was at the center of a discussion at the 35th Congress Plenary Session in Strasbourg.

Presenting the according Information Report, the Head of Delegation Gunn-Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP/CCE) drew attention to the current challenges for local democracy in the Republic of Moldova, not least against the backdrop of the events further to the suspension of the former Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca and a recall referendum that was organized against him in 2017.

She also pointed to reports that the Delegation had received about pressure exerted on local elected representatives using investigations, court proceedings and business influence, mainly to make mayors and councilors change their party affiliation. Moreover, the Congress observers were informed about cases of misuse of administrative resources, campaign financing violations, and the lack of fair access to the media for all the candidates.

“Technically speaking, the May local elections were well prepared and administered by an overall experienced electoral staff in the polling stations, despite some procedural inconsistencies, mainly regarding the sealing of the ballot boxes, as well as isolated tensions observed in localities outside Chisinau, on an Election Day that can be described as orderly and calm, by and large”, the Rapporteur stated.

The Congress also expressed concern about the decision taken on 19 June 2018 by the Chisinau Court to invalidate the results of the second round of local elections in the capital city. “The cancellation of the election result raised questions about the proportionality and transparency of court decisions in the Republic of Moldova,” said Gunn-Marit Helgesen. “This has contributed to further uncertainty and frustration among the population and to the already existing lack of trust in State institutions.”

Following this Assessment Mission and looking ahead to the next local elections due for spring 2019, the Congress Information Report emphasizes the need to ensure the fair representation of local populations in elections, to further improve the accuracy of voters’ lists and to better regulate the use of video equipment in polling stations. The Rapporteur called on policy makers in the Republic of Moldova to do their utmost to ensure that the next local elections were fair, transparent and democratic. “Above all, the citizens of Chisinau have the right to a democratically legitimized mayor instead of the untenable succession of acting executives in the City Hall”, Gunn-Marit Helgesen concluded.