Moldovan Liberals, Socialists, Democrats comment on results of referendum on dismissal of Chisinau general mayor

Chisinau, 19 November /MOLDPRES/ - Chisinau mayor Dorin Chirtoaca has thanked the citizens for having boycotted the local referendum held in the Moldovan capital today. At the same time, the head of the faction of the Party of Socialists (PSRM) in the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC), Ion Ceban, called on the mayor to resign. In this context, the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) thanked the Chisinau residents ‘’for having proved wisdom and for having not let themselves attracted into the trap of the left-wing parties.’’.

At a news conference, the Chisinau mayor, who was suspended from office, today said that the citizens had opted for the mayor to carry his mandate through. ‘’I want to thank those who listened to our urge and did not take part in this referendum. This is the fourth mandate on behalf of citizens; yet, it is a pity that almost ten million lei has been spent in vain. Nevertheless, the problems are not settled only by what happened today; I mean the files opened unjustly; yet, I am set to fight and exercise my mandate up to the end,’’ Chirtoaca said.   

The head of the Socialists from CMC, Ion Ceban, told a news conference that the voter turnout had been good. ‘’We are happy that this democratic procedure existed. Nevertheless, we believe that the number of Chisinau resident unveiled by the Central Electoral Commission is exaggerated. Those who participated in the referendum today account for almost 40 per cent of the citizens who voted at the polls from 2015. This was not a political struggle. The Chisinau residents were to directly express their opinion on the disastrous situation in the capital. Despite the today’s results, I have great doubts that mayor Dorin Chirtoaca will return to the office of mayor; therefore, I urge him to resign,’’ Ceban said.   

Following the plebiscite, the Democratic Party said that ‘’the outcomes of the referendum on the dismissal of the Chisinau general mayor does not represent a victory for anybody, but shows a huge defeat for the left-wing parties, especially PSRM, which initiated the referendum.’’ ‘’PDM thanks the citizens for having proved wisdom and for not having let themselves attracted into the trap of PSRM and the other left-wing parties,’’ reads a press release issued by the Democrats.    

At the same time, PDM informed that, ‘’in its capacity of the main party at rule, it is ready to get involved and back the leadership of the Chisinau city hall, no matter whether it is an interim one or not, but we expect a clear vision and concrete projects for the capital’s citizens.’’   

As many as 110.502 citizens participated in the referendum on the dismissal of the Chisinau general mayor, which is 17.53 per cent of all the number of voters, which means that the plebiscite will not be validated.  

Presently, the Chisinau mayor is prosecuted in two files for influence peddling and abuse of office and is under judicial control. Thus, even if the local plebiscite has failed, the mayor remains suspended from office till rulings are issued in the two files.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)