Three groups were formed in the Chisinau Municipal Council, of the parties with the largest number of seats – the National Alternative Movement (MAN), the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the Party of Socialists (PSRM), IPN reports.

The meeting started at 10.00 a.m. with a scandal and mutual accusations. PAS councilor Zinaida Popa blocked the central rostrum, demanding that several issues be added to the agenda, including the questioning of social sector functionaries. The councilors of MAN and PSRM rejected the proposals, insisting that the groups and permanent commissions of the Council be created first.

After tens of minutes of argument, amid the chants of people who came to ask for funding for the groups with extended hours and for personal assistants, the meeting was interrupted. After the break, at around 1.00 p.m, the councilors returned to the hall and constituted the groups and commissions.

The PAS and MAN groups have by 20 councilors each.

Zinaida Popa will head the PAS group. Dumitru Ivanov and Sergiu Stoian will act as deputy heads, while Galina Comendant as secretary.

The MAN group will be led by Sergei Afanasenco. Grigore Bejenaru, Liudmila Polodiuc, Alexandru Aghenie, Lilia Maximenco and Corneliu Pantea were named deputy heads, while Iulia Nicorici – secretary of the group.

The PSRM group has six members. It will be managed by Adrian Lebedinschi. Alexandr Odintsov will serve as deputy head, while Ala Ursu-Antoci as secretary.

The Council also includes two members representing the Party of Communists and by one councilor on behalf of the Revival Party, the “Dignity and Truth Platform” Party and Our Party.

The meeting of the Chisinau Municipal Council was convened by order of mayor general Ion Ceban. Earlier, the PAS councilors for three times tried to convene the Council with one third of the elected councilors, but failed due to a lack of quorum.