Ex-Premier Vasile Tarlev, who wants to run as an independent in the presidential elections, said some of the representatives of the local public authorities hamper the process of collecting signatures for potential candidates. He made such a statement in the program “Pahomi” on Realitatea TV channel, IPN reports.

“It’s a pity, but serious violations are committed in the signature collection process. They intentionally block the process. In some of the cases, the mayors take the lists of voters used in the previous elections and force the people to sign for a particular candidate. A number of persons told me about this, including a relative of mine. In other cases, they thoroughly verify the signatures and personal data,” stated Vasile Tarlev.

The former Prime Minister didn’t give names, but made it clear that the violations are committed in favor of the candidate who is now in power. “I regret that some of my former inferiors and colleagues from the Cabinet, who made progress in time, act like this,” he said.

Vasile Tarlev noted that representatives of the local public authorities told him that they were instructed by persons from Chisinau to impede the collection of signature in favor of particular applicants who aspire to the presidency.

The ex-Premier promised that if he becomes Head of State, he will find the US$1 billion stolen from banks in half a year and those who are to blame will be held accountable.