The Social Democracy Party (PDS), The Social-Democrat Party and the Centrist Union of Moldova (UCM) will merge into one party in the course of the period preceding the 2009 elections, their leaders told a press conference on Monday, June 11, when a joint statement was signed. Till then, the local elective officials of the three parties will constitute joint social-democrat factions in local public administrative offices at all levels, including the Chisinau Municipal Council. In CMC, the faction will be composed of five councillors, and according to its leaders, negotiations with other councillors are underway. PDS leader Dumitru Braghis said during the conference that negotiations for this purpose were initiated a while ago and this merger will contribute to building a strong social-democrat pole in Moldova. He mentioned that through the creation of a common faction, they wish to set up a unified party not top-down, as it used to happen till now, but from a local level to a central level. Eduard Musuc, president of PSD, said that as a result of the creation of common fractions, this one will become third as a political force in the republic. Moreover, Musuc mentioned that these 3 parties will support the non-communist candidates in the second round, which will take place on June 17, and will therefore support Dorin Chirtoaca as candidate for Chisinau mayor. Mihai Petrache, UCM leader, said for his part that PCRM suffered a defeat in the recent local elections. The Joint Statement is based on a lack of contradictions between the three parties at political programme level. According to the cited source, the creation of unique political factions will contribute to combining efforts with other democratic forces and the formation of a responsible majority which will administrate the municipalities and villages in Moldova in the following 4 years. PDS, PSDM and UCM underlined that the Joint Statement is open to all the democratic forces which will subscribe and comply with the principles and objectives laid down in its text.