The senior administration will not put off the presidential elections set for November 1, 2020, even if the epidemiological situation is difficult. According to the director of the Institute for Strategic Policies and Initiatives Vadim Pistrinciuc, this is disadvantageous to incumbent President Igor Dodon, IPN reports.

“I think this temptation to put off the elections exists among the rulers or in the circles close to President Dodon. I think that if they use COVID-19 as a political reason, this will not be to his advantage. They measure the temperature in society rather well and know that if there aren’t really plausible reasons, they will not force things. A large part of the population will understand that this is an attempt to usurp the power, but the inflammation level in society is rather high. The people followed attentively the developments in Belarus. I don’t think this is advantageous to them from political viewpoint,” stated Vadim Pistrinciuc.

However, the former MP admits that the epidemiological situation could determine the postponement of elections.

Political expert Igor Boțan, executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT, said that given the increasing number of infections with the novel coronavirus, those who plead for the postponement of the presidential elections should be cautious.

“The elderly people represent the main voters of Mister Dodon. These people are the most susceptible to infection with lethal ending. In towns, where the people are more informed, this category of voters could have reservations,” stated Igor Boțan.

The candidates who announced their intention to run in the November 1 presidential elections by now include Maia Sandu, Andrei Năstase, Andrian Candu, Octavian Țîcu, and Dorin Chirtoacă.