Moldova Socialists Scramble to Stall Snap Election, Fearing Defeat

Moldovan deputies taking a vote in the parliament. Photo: EPA/Doru Dumitru

"Maia Sandu will organise these elections from her office, as 120 million lei [about 6 million euros] are needed for the elections, and parliament will not vote for that," Dodon said, referencing the pro-EU President seeking early polls.

The budget to organising early elections can be adopted by the interim government of Aureliu Ciocoiu with the vote of the majority in parliament whose majority is led by Dodon's Moldovan Socialist Party, PSRM.

Dodon added that a complete composition of the Central Electoral Commission, CEC, was also needed for elections, and the mandates of some members expire soon. "Who will vote for the new members?" he asked.

Dodon also warned that parliament might not recognise this week's Constitutional Court's ruling allowing the President to dissolve the legislature and so pave the way for elections.

"The dissolution of parliament is now impossible because we are in a state of emergency. Parliament has its schedule and we are a parliamentary state. Parliament could approve a decision not to recognise the ruling of the Constitutional Court," Dodon insisted.

The Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that all the legal steps and requirements had been met, and President Sandu was entitled to start procedures for dissolving parliament.

Sandu has found herself at loggerheads with the Socialist majority in parliament ever since she won the presidential election in November 2020, defeating the incument Dodon. Repeated attempts to nominate a prime minister she can work with have failed.

Polls show the Socialists would fare badly in early elections, which explains their reluctance to face the voters right now.

On...