the pro-European camp fails to conquer the capital Chisinau

A thorn in the side of the pro-European government. PAS, in power in Moldova, failed to conquer the capital Chișinău in the first round of the municipal elections, according to the results published Monday, November 6. He was defeated in that city by incumbent mayor Ion Ceban. This former member of the pro-Russian socialist party now calls himself pro-Western and obtained a second mandate with nearly 51% of the vote, compared to only 28% for PAS (Party of Action and Solidarity).

PAS had made “these elections a test for the European journey” of Moldova, candidate for membership of the European Union. Before the first round on Sunday, the pro-European president from PAS Maia Sandu declared that “parties paid by the Kremlin and disguised as pro-European parties” would try “to submit” the former Soviet Republic to “foreign interests”. Moldova regularly denounces attempts at destabilization from Russia and had disqualified candidates from the pro-Russian Chance party. PAS, however, came out on top in nearly two thirds of the regions and won in 240 town halls out of nearly 900. A second round is due to take place on November 19.