Bălți deputy mayor Nicolai Grigorishin has become the caretaker mayor of the city as Renato Usatîi is taking a leave of office until September 1, IPN learns from a Bălți municipality spokesperson.
In a Facebook post, Grigorishin said his priority will be to “adjust” the operations of public utilities in preparation for the autumn-winter season. A meeting will be held tomorrow where the acting mayor expects a detailed report from all the utilities.
Grigorishin also announced he is resuming the practice of meeting with members of the public every Monday from 2PM to 7PM.
It’s not the first time Grigorishin substitutes Usatîi. Earlier this year Grigorishin took the helm of the city as his boss was engaged in an ambitious campaign to take his “Partidul Nostru” party into Parliament. Earlier still, in 2018, Grigorishin became interim mayor as Usatîi fled to Russia to avoid criminal charges, which the Partidul Nostru leader claimed were politically motivated. Later in 2018, Grigorishin was elected mayor in a snap election, and during the 2019 regular election Usatîi was able to return and take back the mayor’s seat.
The next day after the July 12 snap legislative election, Renato Usatîi announced he was stepping down as Bălți, disappointed by the poor electoral result achieved by his party nationwide and in the Bălți area in particular. Yesterday, Usatîi announced he would present a report before his constituents on September 2, without being clear about his intention to leave.
