Petrache and Tarlev excommunicate one another

The centrists fight on the eve of the elections. The Centrist Union from Moldova (UCM) has divided into two camps: one supporting former premier Vasile Tarlev and going on the PSD's list for the parliament, the others back former UCM leader Mihai Petrache and they “will support the PDM, without any interest.” Vasile Tarlev and Mihai Petrache brought about mutual accusations at different news conferences on July 13, Info-Prim Neo reports. On Saturday, July 11, Mihai Petrache and his backers from the UCM administration structures – the Republican Council and the Political Council – convened a sitting at which they ousted 29 members and Vasile Tarlev from the party. Mihai Petrache says “they resorted to political dodging and intrigues in organizing and holding a meeting on July 5.” In its turn, Vasile Tarlev held a sitting with his supporters from the same structures on July 12, at which they expelled deputy president Mihai Petrache, “for evincing the political aberration, allegedly issued by the UCM, regarding the federalization of Moldova,” Vasile Tarlev said. Both politicians mutually question the legality of the adopted decisions, and Mihai Petrache does not rule out he'll sue the actions of the Tarlev team, after the elections. When asked what is the obstacle that the Social-Democratic parties fail to merge into a strong single party, Mihai Petrache has answered “the personal ambitions of the leaders.” The Democratic Party (PDM) has Marian Lupu as a spearhead in the ongoing campaign. Commenting on the migrations of members from center-left-wing parties to the PDM, Vasile Tarlev has said: “This dust buster sucks all the rejects from parties.” “I am a beginner politician, but, brethren, I confess to you: there are very dirty mechanisms of cheating and corrupting among so-called politicians, God save our country, Moldova!” Tarlev said and added “political intermediaries representing center- and left-wing parties offered me money that the UCM stays off the race.” Vasile Tarlev was elected as the UCM's president on September 27, 2008, but the Justice Ministry did not accept the voting as legal. Recently the Supreme Court of Justice ruled in the Ministry's favor in a suit filed by the UCM. Mihai Petrache has said thus he is the actual leader of the party, in his capacity of a vice president, while the office of the president is vacant.