AEI's steps are logical as a delay is convenient, political analyst

The fact that the election of the head of state will be delayed owing to the fact that there was only one candidate registered is a gift offered by the Communists Party (PCRM) to the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), considers politic analyst Igor Botan, the director of the Association for Participative Democracy (ADEPT). “The AEI's steps are logical and in accordance with the Constitution and the Constitutional Court's decision, while the Communists will walk into a trap,” Igor Botan has told Info-Prim Neo. Only the leader of Democratic Party (PDM) Marian Lupu was registered as candidate for the presidency. He was fielded by the AEI. The Constitution does not say how many candidates for head of state should be registered. However, the Constitutional Court ruled that there should be at least two candidates. Igor Botan considers the postponement of the election date is the Communist's headache. “The PCRM remains for the time being somehow united and does not want to vote. On the other hand, the AEI did not propose the second candidate so as to be able to postpone the election of the head of state,” he said. The analyst said the PCRM wants early elections as soon as possible as the socioeconomic situation in Moldova is difficult. “If Moldova obtains financial assistance from outside and the AEI manages to improve the socioeconomic situation, the early elections would not be a suitable option for the Communists anymore.” Igor Botan also said that the chances of having new early elections are 50% to 50%. Marian Lupu has the same opinion. “Nobody asked Vladimir Voronin or Mark Tkachuk to say that voting for Lupu would mean the destruction of the PCRM. Now, if they accept to vote, the people will say that Voronin destroyed the party himself. Voronin cannot do this. Also, if eight Communist MPs vote for the AEI's candidate, it would be betrayal of the party,” the analyst said. In the same connection, Botan said that the AEI plays a wise game and that it now does not need early elections, but peace. The Alliance is supported by the EU, the IMF and even Russia. It needs time to strengthen itself. The Constitutional Court could take a decision regarding the procedure for electing the head of state within a month.