The campaign preceding the new local mayoral elections of May 20 is compromised, said the candidate for mayor of Chisinau of the Party “Democracy at Home” Vasile Costiuc. According to him, a number of election runners violated the law and abused the administrative resources, while a part of the media outlets insistently promote activities of particular contenders even if they declared they would not cover the campaign.
In a news conference at IPN on May 3, Vasile Costiuc said the demonstration staged by the Party of Socialists on May 1 with the involvement of President Igor Dodon and the party’s candidate for mayor Ion Ceban flouted the Election Code. The law bans the use of images that represent state institutions for electoral advertising purposes. When being invested, Igor Dodon pledged to be the President of everyone and left the post of party leader. However, by taking part in the Socialists’ demonstration, the Head of State became involved in party politics and clearly supported the candidate for mayoralty. “We demand that the competent institutions should examine this case and determine if President Dodon violated his oath and the Election Code,” stated Vasile Costiuc.
According to him, another violation was committed by the candidate for mayor of the Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” Andrei Nastase. Foreign partners, leaders of European institutions and Romanian party leaders campaigned for this candidate, but this is a serious violation of the Election Code and the state institutions should take measures.
The candidate of the Party “Democracy at Home” also accused Silvia Radu of collecting signatures for running as an independent while still holding office of mayor on an interim basis. This is an abusive practice of using administrative resources. A person should leave the pubic post after announcing the intention to run.
As regards the conduct of the media, Vasile Costiuc said Silvia Radu is broadly favored at the TV channels controlled by the Democratic Party. Jurnal TV, which asserts it is impartial, presents only one candidate, Andrei Nastase. “All these aspects generate concern. We signal that the fundamental principles of equality of chances and the democratic norms are being violated,” he stated.
Vasile Costiuc heads the list of candidates on the ballot.
