A protest vote was exploited in the new local mayoral elections in Chisinau and this had a clear political expression. These weren’t only administrative elections, as the mayoral elections in a city are described, but were also political elections where the perseverant electorate from Chisinau gave a new impeachment vote to the Party of Socialists, showing it is consistent with the own principles and allocated its resources for a democratic alternative, said the director of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” Igor Munteanu.
In an interview for Radio Free Europe’s Moldovan Service, which was quoted by IPN, the analyst said it was an anti-oligarchic vote. These elections showed that one can win only by the union and cohesion of forces. All the candidates who tried to campaign on their own without associating themselves with important political groups lost lamentably.
According to Munteanu, the segment of the right that is represented by the Party “Action and Solidarity” and the Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” obtained a serious stimulus that should not be neglected. These elections alter the positions of all the political players and, in a way, generate bigger expectations in the voters who want a change in Moldova.
Igor Munteanu said very primitive and immoral tactics were used in the campaign prior to the elections. However, beyond this, the campaign conducted by Andrei Nastase could lead to the expected victory owing to the full support provided by the PAS. “Even if particular segments seemed loyal to the Liberals or the unionist groups, Andrei Nastase was remarkable and indeed won a personal victory, but this victory was possible only in conjuncture with the political forces of the same orientation,” he stated.
The analyst also said that Andrei Nastase should remain devoted to the course he announced in the campaign and should be extremely prudent as particular traps could appear from unexpected directions. The Democratic Party could wait for Nastase to make mistakes and could then exploit these for the own benefit, as they did in relation to ex-mayor Dorin Chirtoaca. The Socialists will also try to play the game of the Democratic Party as they have no other choice.
In another development, Igor Munteanu said Andrei Nastase’s victory is very promising as it transmits the message that not all the things in Moldova are controlled by persons whose intentions are hostile to democracy and the rule of law.
