Moldova: More than 60 MPs seeking re-election
More than 60 of Moldova's current Members of Parliament (MPs) have registered to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections on 28 September.
They are primarily featured on the lists of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the "Patriotic Bloc of Socialists, Communists, the Heart, and the Future of Moldova." Both political entities have placed both incumbent MPs and ministers or state officials on their lists. However, some current MPs have chosen to run independently or on the lists of other parties.
PAS Candidates: MPs, Ministers and Local District Leaders
PAS has included 36 current MPs on its electoral list. The list is led by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, followed by Doina Gherman (3), Veronica Roșca (6), and Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei (9).
Towards the end of the list, some current PAS MPs can be found, such as Grigore Grădinaru (91), Gheorghe Cojoc (85), and Viorel Barda (82). Additionally, several legislative officials are also aspiring to be MPs: the Secretary-General of Parliament, Igor Talmazan (56), the Parliament Speaker's adviser, Victor Agrici (83), or the head of the PAS faction’s office, Roman Cernelea (101).
Presidential staff are also on the list: Adrian Băluțel, head of President Maia Sandu's office, is running in 52nd place.
Eight members of the current government are also on the PAS list, including Prime Minister Dorin Recean (2), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi (7), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Vladimir Bolea (8), Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun (13), Minister of the Environment, Sergiu Lazarencu (24), Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Ludmila Catlabuga (32), and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Roman Roșca (72).
Four local district leaders are also running on the PAS electoral list.
Out of the 104 total PAS candidates, 83 are members of the party led by Grosu.
The BCS Parliamentary Faction, Almost Entirely on the "Patriotic Bloc" Lists The "Patriotic Bloc of Socialists, Communists, the Heart, and the Future of Moldova" electoral bloc has also included 21 current MPs on its electoral list. These include Communists Diana Caraman (2nd place), Constantin Starîș (8th place), and Socialists Zinaida Greceanîi (5), Vlad Batrîncea (7), Grigore Novac (9), Vladimir Odnostalco (10), and Alla Pelipețcaia (11).
At the end of the same list, Communist MP Nicolai Rusol (93) and Socialist MP Ivan Dimitrioglo (81) can be found.
The bloc's list includes 53 Socialists, 23 Communists, 22 from the "Heart of Moldova" Party, and six candidates from the "Future of Moldova" Party.
Among the bloc's candidates are also a local district leader, as well as three deputy leaders, all members of the Socialist Party.
Parliament officials are also running on the lists, alongside current MPs. They are Andrei Godoroja (12), an adviser within the parliamentary faction of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BCS); Ala Ursu-Antoci (26), an adviser in the faction leader's office; Nichita Țurcan (61), an adviser in the deputy leader's office; Ion Perju (68), an adviser within the parliamentary faction; and Rita Manole (76), an adviser within the same faction.
MPs who have changed parties or are running independently
Some current MPs have decided to run in the autumn parliamentary elections with other parties. Veaceslav Nigai, a former member of the parliamentary faction of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists, is now running on the list of the "Respect Moldova" party (17th place). Similarly, Gaik Vartanean, a former Socialist, appears on the lists of the "Alternative" Electoral Bloc (5th place).
Former PAS MP Olesea Stamate has decided to run as an independent, while her former colleague, Victoria Cazacu, may be included on the list of "Our Party" in the autumn elections.
Meanwhile, six former MPs of the "Șor" Party—which was declared unconstitutional, now independents—could have run on the lists of the "Victory" Bloc, but the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) rejected its registration for the autumn election.
MPs Vasile Bolea and Alexandr Suhodolski were also barred from running; they intended to run on the list of the "Renaștere" Party, but the electoral authority rejected its registration for the electoral race on 21 August.
The parliamentary elections on 28 September will determine the composition of Moldova’s 101-seat parliament for the 12th legislature. MPs serve four-year terms.
To date, the Central Electoral Commission has registered 14 electoral contenders: nine political parties, three electoral blocs, and two independent candidates.
In total, 50 registration applications for the 28 September parliamentary elections were submitted to the CEC.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
