Current:Home > MarketsMoldova’s pro-Western government hails elections despite mayoral losses in capital and key cities-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Moldova’s pro-Western government hails elections despite mayoral losses in capital and key cities
View Date:2024-12-23 15:04:15
CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova’s ruling pro-European party has lost a bid for the mayorship of the country’s capital and other key cities despite victories in many areas in local elections that were overshadowed by accusations that Russia was meddling to undermine the vote, according to preliminary results.
Lilian Carp of the Party of Action and Solidarity, or PAS, lost out to incumbent Chisinau mayor, Ion Ceban, who won just over 50% of the capital’s vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission.
Before Ceban set up a pro-European party last year, he was widely considered to hold a pro-Russian stance, and many believe he still does. In recent years, Moldova has looked to foster closer ties with its Western partners and was granted EU candidate status in June last year.
Sunday’s elections in the country of about 2.5 million people, situated between Romania and Ukraine, were under the spotlight because of ongoing accusations by Moldovan authorities that Russia was meddling to influence the outcome of the vote.
Moldova’s second-largest city Balti will go to a runoff after none of the candidates obtained a clear majority. PAS came in far behind the top three vote-getters. In Orhei, the candidate who is closely linked to a Russia-friendly exiled Moldovan oligarch, Ilan Shor, won the vote for mayor.
Despite losing out in the election for the Chisinau mayor, Andrei Spinu, the minister of infrastructure and regional development, said that the overall election results was a success for PAS.
“PAS has won the elections in the country … in 19 districts we are in first place,” he wrote on Facebook on Monday. “The most important conclusion of these elections is that the pro-European message has won dispersed throughout the country.”
Spinu said that PAS won mayoral positions in 240 out of 898 localities, as well as a strong representation in the Chisinau Municipal Council with 20 seats. That is an equal number of seats to Ceban’s National Alternative Movement party, according to preliminary results.
The vote will see nearly 900 mayors and 11,000 local councilors elected for a four-year term. The turnout was 41% nationwide, according to authorities, almost identical to the elections in 2019.
PAS currently holds Moldova’s government after winning a clear majority in the 2021 parliamentary elections, and the country’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu used to lead the party.
Radu Magdin, a regional analyst at Smartlink Communications in Bucharest, says the Chisinau result indicates that PAS “has a lot of work to do” to win the next presidential and parliamentary elections, to be held in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
“The party has to better tailor its message to the Chisinau voters and focus more on mobilizing those who supported PAS in 2020 and 2021,” he told The Associated Press.
On Friday, Moldovan authorities banned the pro-Russia Chance Party from taking part in Sunday’s race. The Intelligence and Security Service, alleged in a 32-page report that the party had received about 50 million euros ($53 million) in Russian money, which was channeled by Shor and used to destabilize the country and “buy” voters in Sunday’s election.
Shor was the head of the Russia-friendly Shor Party, which was declared unconstitutional in June by Moldova’s Constitutional Court.
“After their party was banned … they acquired other parties and continued their attempts to weaken not only the government but the Moldovan democracy as a whole,” Magdin added.
___
McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Philadelphia mass transit users face fare hikes of more than 20% and possible service cuts
- American Idol’s Triston Harper, 16, Expecting a Baby With Wife Paris Reed
- As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence
- Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
- Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor
- Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump
- New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election
- Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone
- Mega Millions winning numbers for November 8 drawing: Jackpot rises to $361 million
- Dallas Long, who won 2 Olympic medals while dominating the shot put in the 1960s, has died at 84
Ranking
- How to Build Your Target Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Budget-Friendly Must-Haves for Effortless Style
- Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens to early customers on World Kindness Day
- 13 Skincare Gifts Under $50 That Are Actually Worth It
- Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
- Zendaya Shares When She Feels Extra Safe With Boyfriend Tom Holland
- Why Kathy Bates Decided Against Reconstruction Surgery After Double Mastectomy for Breast Cancer
- Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr. leaves in wheelchair after banging head on court
- Nevada Democrats keep legislative control but fall short of veto-proof supermajority
Recommendation
-
Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
-
Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
-
Charles Hanover: Caution, Bitcoin May Be Entering a Downward Trend!
-
Why Outer Banks Fans Think Costars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Used Stunt Doubles Amid Rumored Rift
-
Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
-
Oil Industry Asks Trump to Repeal Major Climate Policies
-
Keke Palmer Says Ryan Murphy “Ripped” Into Her Over Scream Queens Schedule
-
Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away