The Centru District Court in the evening of July 10 validated the results of the mayoral elections held in Chisinau. In the same hearing, the Court rejected the Party of Socialists’ application to annul the results of the runoff vote in Chisinau and to hold new elections, IPN reports.

The the Party of Socialists’ jurist Maxim Lebedinschi said the party does not agree with the Court’s decision, which was influenced politically.  “We will definitely challenge this decision. If need be, we will go to the European Court of Human Rights. As the government puts the money above the people’s right to choose and be chosen, we will file challenges and will go until the end,” he stated.

The representative of the Liberal Party and of Mayor General of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca, lawyer Tatiana Iovu said the decision is correct and well-grounded, while the Party of Socialists didn’t provide sufficient arguments. According to her, the local elections were held in strict compliance with the law and there are no reasons for challenging the election outcome.

According to the Central Election Commission, the Liberal Party’s candidate Dorin Chirtoaca won 53.44% of the vote, while his opponent Zinaida Grecheanyi, of the Party of Communists, polled 46.56% of the ballot. The difference between the votes won by the two is about 21,000.