Civic activist and economic expert Sergiu Tofilat said he will run in the mayoral elections in Chisinau. In a posting, Tofilat wrote that the suspended mayor Dorin Chirtoaca should be dismissed by the November 19 referendum and early mayoral elections should be held in Chisinau so as not to allow the Democratic leader Vlad Plahotniuc to control the Chisinau City Hall through Silviei Radu until the new local elections of 2019, IPN reports.

Sergiu Tofilat said the leader of the Democratic Party controls most of the mayors and districts heads and the Chisinau City Hall is the last important institution that he needs to subdue to enjoy full control. “The mayor should also be dismissed because he managed the capital city very badly and transformed the City Hall into a profoundly corrupt institution that does not care about citizens’ needs,” wrote the activist.

Sergiu Tofilat also said that the referendum is not of the Socialists (on whose initiative it is organized, e.n.), but of those who signed for holding it. By boycotting the referendum, the people help Dorin Chirtoaca to return to post as he is hostage of the legal system controlled by the leader of the PDM. “You will help Plahotniuc to control the City Hall through the agency of Silvia Radu. Fearing he can be convicted, Chirtoaca is not free even to tender his resignation,” stated the expert.

He also said that he discussed the issue with many people during the past few weeks and saw that the people understand that the town is in the hands of Plahotniuc, but do not want to take part in the referendum as they do not have who to vote for in early elections. That’s why he decided to run as an independent in the mayoral elections in Chisinau if the referendum is successful, but he could withdraw to support a candidate whom he would consider more suitable.

Sergiu Tofilat considers the Socialists hope to gain greater support in Chisinau if the referendum is successful.