For the first time after many years, the local mayoral elections in Chisinau municipality have such a big stake. For the central power, it is very important who will manage Chisinau. For the citizens, this is also important. But from political viewpoint, the elections also play an importance role, director of the Institute for Diplomatic, Political and Security Studies Valeriu Ostalep stated in the program “Key issue” on NTV Moldova channel, IPN reports.

According to him, if the elections had taken place in the middle of parliamentary elections, these would have had another effect. Before the parliamentary elections, the effect will be great both for those who will win and for those who will lose.

Valeriu Ostalep noted he considers three of the announced candidates have big chances of reaching the runoffs: the Socialist candidate Ion Ceban, the candidate of the Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” Andrei Nastase and current acting mayor Silvia Radu.

According to Valeriu Ostalep, the unionist candidate Constantin Codreanu will gain less than 1% in these elections. “We will now see how many unionists are there in Chisinau,” he stated.