New local elections in capital declared invalid

Chisinau, 20 June /MOLDPRES/- The mandate of elected mayor of the capital, Andrei Nastase, has not been validated. Magistrates of the Chisinau court, the Centre district, declared the new local elections as invalid, because they were not legal.

The decision was delivered on 19 June. After several hours of deliberation, magistrates issued a ruling stating that "the legality of the new local elections is not confirmed."

Andrei Nastase, the candidate with the highest number of votes in the local elections, described the decision as illegal and announced that he would appeal to the higher court.

“It is an injustice not only for the over 52% of Chisinau residents who voted for me, but also for all those who came to vote. We will review the decision, we will appeal and prepare for protests, "Nastase said.

During the hearing, Andrei Nastase’s supporters protested outside the Court.

If the higher courts maintain the decision of the first instance, an interim mayor will lead the capital until next summer, when ordinary local elections are to be held.

The local elections were held in two rounds - on 20 May and 3 June. Following the runoff, Nastase picked up 52.08% of votes, and his counter-candidate Ion Ceban - 47.43%.

(Reporter A. Zara, editor A. Răileanu)