Chisinau, March 20 (Infotag). Political formations are bribing potential candidates for town and village mayors and for members of local councils – the councilors, Centrist Union of Moldova Chairman Mihai Petrache stated at a news conference in Infotag today.

In his words, the bribing practice is flourishing in practically all raions of Moldova: “We have information on our hands showing that some parties, including oppositional ones, are offering to candidates for mayor 3 to 20 thousand lei for their agreement to run on the party’s ticket. And an agreement to run for a councilor is priced between 300 and 3,000 lei”.

The Centrist Union of Moldova is gathering documentary proofs, and will publish the names of political formations the bribers.

“But the most grave aftermath of such corrupt attitude is that voters are perfectly aware of the bargaining going around them, so they are losing trust in the country’s political class as such. If corruption would not be eradicated at the top level, one cannot dream of combating this evil in the country as a whole”, said the Union leader, and called upon the citizenry to sent over to the CUM any information about the bribing of would-be candidates.

He presumes the Chisinau Mayor post will be aspired by 17-18 candidates, including 5 independent ones, “and if the opposition fails to nominate a common candidate, the ruling Communist Party will have serious chances for a victory in the capital city”.

Petrache said negotiations concerning such common candidate are now under way. He believes this should be an experienced specialist, and a personality well known to citizens but staying away from political gamesmanship, “for such is the only way to a reconciliation between citizens”.

He said the Centrist Union of Moldova will enter into negotiations with Liberal formations upon reaching a clarity in the CUM’s negotiations with Social Democratic parties.

“If we fail to agree upon a common oppositional candidate, the CUM will put forward a candidate of its own. We do not know yet who this will be”, said Mihai Petrache.