Mihai Ghimpu was reelected as chairman of the Liberal Party (PL), while Dorin Chirtoaca as first deputy chairman in the party’s fourth congress held at the National Palace “Nicolae Sulac” in Chisinau on September 14, IPN reports.
The participants in the congress fielded Mihai Ghimpu, Corina Fusu, Valeriu Munteanu and Dorin Chirtoaca, but the last three refused to run for chairmanship, arguing they are busy with the other posts held. “Let’s do some calculations: mayor general – one, head of the party’s Chisinau local organization – two, Prime Minister – three, and now party head,” said jokingly Chirtoaca, who will be the PL’s candidate for the post of Prime Minister.
“In a democratic state with the rule of law, the power wasn’t and won’t be in the hands of a President. The power belongs to the party. The head of state is only a speaker or a servant for the party,” said Mihai Ghimpu, who was elected by 1,694 votes in favor, 14 votes against and 23 abstentions.
Dorin Chirtoaca, Corina Fusu and Anatol Salaru were elected as first deputy heads of the PL, while Veaceslav Untila, Valeriu Munteanu, Veronica Herta, Lilian Carp and Mihai Moldovanu as deputy heads. Ion Apostol was voted in as the party’s secretary.
In their speeches, the Liberals repeatedly accused the former colleagues from the alliance of nepotism, corruption and betrayal, referring to the privatization of the Chisinau International Airport and Banca de Economii. “We didn’t fight with the Communists in order to bring others stealing more than they to power. We need an alliance for European integration, an alliance for the people, not for those holding posts,” stated Mihai Ghimpu.
The congress involved guests from abroad, including the President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Sir Graham Watson, former European Parliament rapporteur for Moldova, who congratulated the leaders of the PL on their contribution to Moldova’s European integration. “The Liberals from the whole Europe are behind you in this campaign. I wish you good luck!” said the English politician.
Head of the Iasi County Council Cristian Adomnitei, who represented the National Liberal Party (PNL) of Romania, transmitted a message from the leader of the PNL Klaus Iohannis. He praised the PL for the efforts made to promote the national identity, mentioning the challenge filed by the Liberals to the Constitutional Court, by which the Romanian language was recognized as the official language. He assured the participants in the congress of the unconditional support of the PNL and of Romania for Moldova’s integration into the EU.
The fourth congress of the PL was attended by about 2,000 people representing all the local organizations of the party. In the November 28, 2010 elections, the PL won 12 seats of MP, but in the summer of 2013, seven MPs and several ministers representing the PL left the party and formed the Liberal Reformist Party, which participated in the formation of the new government. As a result, the PL moved to the opposition.
