After four hours of heated debate, Ghenadie Dumanschi of the Liberal Democratic Party was elected today as chairman of the Chisinau City Council in a secret vote, Info-Prim Neo reports. Ghenadie Dumanschi was the only candidate. He was elected by 26 out of 31 councilors, as the Liberal faction refused to participate. The Liberal councilors were disappointed that the initiative to elect a chairman had come from arch-rivals Christian-Democrats and Communists. Liberal Dorin Chirtoaca, the mayor of Chisinau, said he respected the decision of the Council. “I congratulate Ghenadie Dumanschi, but I regret that (the election) happened with the contribution of the Communists and on the initiative of the Christian-Democrats. I assume the democratic alliance in the City Council had sufficient resources to resolve this problem without the Communists, as we all had pledged to build a democratic, correct and prosperous Chisinau. I am confident that we will further be able to find consensus to work within the City Council”. Ghenadie Dumanschi regretted the Liberals' failure to participate in the vote, but promised he would treat with respect and equally all the municipal councilors. “Let me promise that I will demonstrate fairness and transparency”, said the newly elected Council chairman. The City Council hadn't had a permanent chairman since February 2009.