Monday, June 18, 2007

Chisinau City Has a Non-Communist Mayor


The results of the runoff elections for the mayor of Chisinau City are as follows:
For Dorin Chirtoaca (pictured), the Liberal Party candidate, voted 61,17% of the electorate(130,181), and for the Communist candidate - 38,83 % (82,653 people). It is indeed a stunning result, Chirtoaca winning with over 22%!

Given that my biggest concern was that the participation in the runoff elections would be too low for validation, I am happy to learn that the participation rate was as high as 35% in Chisinau City. Therefore, it is almost certain that Chisinau will have a young, charismatic and reform-orientated mayor.

Congratulations to Dorin and all Chisinau residents!

Comments:

Alexei Ghertescu , June 18, 2007  

Lucia, don't forget about the fact that many people didn't vote for Chirtoaca. They voted against Iordan.

And this fact is really important...

Lucia , June 19, 2007  

Alexei, but how does it change the outcome?! Indeed, the fact that he is non-communist is his most appealing feature. He proved he is a good politician, he has yet to prove he is a good mayor.

Anyhow, after elections, he deserves support and respect, at least as much as can be derived from the "presumption of innocence." Until "proven guilty," skepticism and reservation towards him personally are not very constructive. I'd suggest to everyone still skeptical regarding his future performance as mayor to perform an imaginative exercise: imagine you are in his shoes...how would you speak and act? So far he is doing pretty good according to my standards. Maybe a bit more smiling would not hurt :))

Lilia , June 19, 2007  

Same here, Lucia.

Anonymous , June 19, 2007  

I was hoping Dorin Chirtoaca would win the elections, but 20%+ difference was something that pleasently supprised me. Another surprising fact is that the Communist Party has not offered any comments on elections outcomes. I think their "silent policy" did not do any good for them and they better revise it not to become even more distant from the rest of the country.
As for Alexei's comment, I tend to agree with Lucia. We have to give the new mayor a chance to show what he can do for Chisinau and its citizens.

Anonymous , June 20, 2007  

My first thought when entering your blog today was - wow Lucia you've changed, and you look a lot like Dorin Chirtoaca now. I guess it is because I was used to seeing your picture here first. :)))

Anonymous , June 22, 2007  

Now we are waiting to see if our expectations regarding a new future for the city will be met.

Anonymous , July 02, 2007  

i kinda like him but his face puts me off a bit..

Anonymous , July 06, 2007  

I spoke with Dorin a few days ago while I was in Kishinev, he is nice and mild in manner, but we'll see if he makes good on his promises...

Irina