Politics

DORIN CHIRTOACA ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION AS CHISINAU MAYOR

16 february, 2018

Dorin Chirtoaca, elected as Chisinau Mayor in June 2007 at the age of 28, is leaving the post. He announced this on Friday during the news conference he organized in the central office of the Liberal Party, in which he is the First Deputy Chairman, yielding in the party hierarchy only to the LP leader, his beloved uncle MP Mihai Ghimpu.

Chirtoaca stated that the decision to leave was taken not under anybody’s pressure, “but this is my response to those who want to see me obedient”.

He stressed that by this decision of his, he has seriously spoiled the plans of the ruling Democratic Party.

“The authorities were going to dismiss me themselves in order to thus conserve the situation in Chisinau in its current shape. Now their plan has been ruined. I guess the capital city will hold a snap mayoral election on May 20, so we will see what it is all about”, said the 39-year-old Liberal politician.

Chirtoaca stated this is his manifestation of protest against what is going on in the city and in the Chisinau Primaria [city government] in his absence.

“Municipal councilors [members of the Chisinau Municipal Council – the city legislature] are being harassed by the Democratic Party, and if they refuse to obey they are risking finding themselves in jail on invented charges. An analogous situation has been in Chisinau municipal services. For example, Petru Gontea, Director of the Municipal Housing and Utilities Department, who has never had whatever relation to politics, was forced into writing a resignation application. However, he was left in his office. What is the logic of such decisions?” wondered Dorin Chirtoaca.

He stated confidently that at the present time the Chisinau Primaria is functioning on the basis of a collusion concluded between Plahotniuc’s Democrats and Dodon’s Socialists.

“Never shall I recognize the accusations that have been put upon me since May 2017. The trial of me has already caused indignation of European institutions. It abounds in inconsistencies and controversies. But my innocence will be necessarily proved. We shall achieve justice – if not here, then in the European Court for Human Rights”, stated Dorin Chirtoaca.

In his opinion, Chisinau citizens realize perfectly that the city is undergoing a process of power usurpation.

“The only possibility to prevent this is to hold a snap election. Chisinau needs a new legitimate mayor elected by the whole people. I am calling on all citizens, all political parties having no relation to ongoing crimes – unite and stand up against the dictatorship that may get consolidated in the country”, said Chirtoaca.

Chirtoaca reminded that according to the legislation, the snap election in Chisinau may be held on May 20. This date is one of the two fixed Election Days in a calendar year, when snap elections to local governance bodies are held in populated areas where such a necessity arises.

Infotag’s dossier: The Chisinau Mayor was arrested by the National Anti-Corruption Center (NACC) officers last on May 25, 2017 on suspicion of gaining interest from a project of building a network of parking lots in the city. Together with him, the investigation then involved 10 more suspects from among his surrounding and business partners. On May 26, Chirtoaca was placed under a house arrest for 30 days.

According to NACC data, as a result of collusion between Chisinau City Hall officials, the tender for the building of the said parking lots was won by an Austro-Hungarian company with a dubious reputation – EME Parkleitsystem GmbH. For involvement in that affair, the law enforcement detained also Chisinau Deputy Mayor Nistor Grozavu [delegated to the Chisinau City Hall on the quota of Chirtoaca’s Liberal Party] and Chisinau Municipal Public Transport Department Director Igor Gamretchi. Sources in the Prosecution service are saying that the two latter gentlemen agreed to give evidence against their city boss and party comrade.

Subsequently, one more litigation was started against Chirtoaca on suspicion of abusing office: he signed orders to issue compensations from the municipal budget for providing housing to some judges and prosecutors.

The Court has already passed a suspended sentence to Gamretchi. As for Deputy Mayor Grozavu, he is still under the investigation, but is at large. Now he is a Democrat, and has appointed Silvia Radu of the Democratic Party as Chisinau Acting Mayor.

In July 2017, Dorin Chirtoaca, who was under investigation then, was suspended as Chisinau Mayor “for the investigation period”. In August, he was placed under a recognizance not to leave.

In November 19, on the initiative of the Party of Socialists, a city referendum was held in Chisinau on a vote of no confidence in Chirtoaca. However, that enterprise failed due to a poor voter turnout – merely 18% instead of the necessary minimum of 33%. Already a few days after that, Silvia Radu of the ruling Democratic Party was appointed an Acting Mayor.

Add Comment

Add Comment

  • name
  • email
  • message
Thanks!
Your comment will be published after administrator approval.