Negotiations on presidential candidate to continue until Monday

Negotiations on a presidential candidate will continue until Monday inclusive, the deadline for submitting candidacies. The announcement was made on Friday, after the meeting of the Eurointegration Alliance's Board with the participation of MP Igor Dodon, who recently quit the Communist Party, Info-Prim Neo reports. Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu stated he was categorically against a different candidate than the one agreed upon when the Alliance was formed. “The Liberal Party stays resolute on this. There is only one candidate, the candidate of the Alliance (Marian Lupu). We don't discuss any other candidates. Just this one. I regret it, but Mrs. Greceanyi needs to meditate a little bit and understand what game she has got herself into and she should better think how to contribute to overcoming this political crisis.” Lib-Dem leader Vlad Filat declared that a compromise was crucial; otherwise, Moldova would face snap elections. “The Liberal-Democratic party will further participate in these discussions which I'm sure will continue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and on Monday, so that a solution can be found”, said Vlad Filat, adding that if his holding of the Prime Minister's post would ever constitute an obstacle to electing the President, he was ready to relinquish the post. Democrat leader Marian Lupu told reporters that all the participants formulated their positions and that the discussions would continue. Whoever the candidate is found as a compromise, he or she needs to be endorsed by at least 61 MPs, or else holding presidential elections would be a waste of time, said Lupu. Igor Dodon declared that after discussing with the Alliance leaders, he became more optimistic about the odds of electing a head of state. He said he remained resolute on his position that the head of state should by a politically unaffiliated person; that is why he proposed Zinaida Greceanyi. “Today we exchanged opinions. I hope the negotiations will continue so that we can select a candidate who is able to collect 61 votes”. Igor Dodon went on to add that he was ready to negotiate with any party on this issue, including with the Communists. November 14 is the deadline for announcing candidates for the post of President. Parliament will hold the first attempt to elect the President at the end of next week, most likely on November 18.