THREE TO FIVE PARTIES ARE LIKELY TO ENTER PARLIAMENT - IMAS POLL

Had a parliamentary election been held in Moldova next Sunday on the basis of the proportional representation system, the 5% election threshold would be cleared by 3 to 5 political parties, as per the opinion poll carried out by the Moldovan Institute of Marketing and Opinion Surveys (IMAS), whose results were presented in Chisinau on Monday.

The IMAS found out that the Party of Socialists (PSRM) would be voted for by 34.4% respondents, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) - by 22.8%, the Democratic Party (DPM) - by 7.6%, the Ilan Shor Party - 4.9%, the Communist Party (MCP) - 4.4%, the Partidul Nostru [Our Party, OP] - 2.2%, the political party called Platform "Demnitate si Adevar" [DA, "Dignity and Justice"] - 1.9%, the Unirea Movement - 1.1%, and the Liberal Democratic Party - 1%.

All the rest parties would receive a total of 1% votes, 5.1 respondents would not go to the polls, and 1.3% are uncertain.

But among citizens who have made up their mind about whom to vote for, the PSRM would receive 42.1% ballots, PAS - 27.9%, DPM - 9.3%, Ilan Shor Party - 6%, and the MCP - 5.4%. All the rest would not overcome the 5% election threshold.

Real chances to reach the second round of the forthcoming presidential election are available with only two candidates: readiness to vote for incumbent President Igor Dodon was stated by 34.9% respondents and for PAS leader Maia Sandu - 24.5%. Also, for DPM Chairman Pavel Filip - 8%, MCP leader Vladimir Voronin - 6.6%, Our Party leader Renato Usatii - 3.4%, DA Platform Andrei Nastase - 2.9%, for Unirea movement representative Dorin Chirtoaca - 2.6%, Chairman of the National Unity Party Octavian Ticu - 2.1%. All the rest possible candidates would poll a total of fewer than 2%. Also, 3.7% respondents would not go to the polls, and 9.5% were uncertain.

The poll was carried out on February 7 through 19 by the IMAS Company by the order of the Public Media marketing agency among 1,109 adult residents of 93 populated areas across the republic. The pollsters are saying the error should not be in the excess of В±3%.