The stake of the mayoral elections in Chisinau municipality is big because one third of the voters in Moldova live in the capital city. The way in which the political forces mobilize will determine the participation by the electorate in this year’s parliamentary elections, director of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” Igor Munteanu stated in the program “Moldova live” on Moldova 1 channel, IPN reports.
“Secondly, Chisinau has a huge economic stake. Who controls the administration in his city controls 60% of the Gross Domestic Products. They do not control effectively, but the economy is concentrated here. The internal migration is aimed at the city. The most important cultural and education institutions are situated here. All these will stimulate the political parties to formulate strategic plans for the parliamentary elections,” stated Igor Munteanu.
Editorialist Nicolae Negru said the decision not to hold local elections in the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti would be a suicidal one. Now the pro-European leaders should understand and meet the expectations of the citizens of Chisinau. “They should take into account the qualities of the candidates. Not even the pro-European parties will have success if an inappropriate person is chosen as mayor,” stated the editorialist.
Head of the Center for Initiatives and Public Authorities Monitoring Ion Dron said time has come to renounce the division of powers between the local councils and mayors. “I think we should stop electing mayors as the people are represented in the councils, not in the mayor’s office and the mayor often is not the representative of those who hold a majority in the council,” stated Ion Dron. He noted that the mayor should be chosen by the council as the mayors in Moldova are voted not according to the projects they are to implement, but according to political criteria.
The elections in the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti were set for May 20.
