Claims circulating on several Telegram channels that Alexandr Stoianoglo could become the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) candidate in the Gagauzia governor election are false, Parliament Speaker and PAS leader Igor Grosu said.
Grosu made the statement during an interview with Jurnal TV, while also praising Stoianoglo’s role in negotiations between Comrat and Chisinau over the rules for organizing the election.
“It is obviously false. (…) We communicate with Mr. Stoianoglo very rarely and mostly during plenary sessions. But I want to tell you that I saw his performance during the negotiations, when we were trying to find solutions regarding the specific arrangements for holding the elections,” Grosu said.
According to Grosu, Stoianoglo took part in discussions with representatives of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia who came to Chisinau to discuss the electoral process.
“He had a very correct position. I was pleasantly surprised. On many occasions, he intervened and said: ‘Colleagues, the solution here is clear; it is beneficial and correct that the same electoral rules should apply throughout the Republic of Moldova,’” Grosu said.
However, the Parliament Speaker said he could not assess Stoianoglo’s managerial abilities.
“I cannot comment on his managerial capabilities, nor is it appropriate for me to do so,” Grosu added.
Asked whether PAS would participate as a political party in the Gagauzia elections, Grosu said that no decision had yet been made.
“We do not have a decision on this matter. I am telling you exactly how things stand: we are still discussing it. (…) We are well aware of the chances we have there, but at the same time, we cannot abandon the people,” Grosu said.
Stoianoglo announced on September 7 that he would run as an independent candidate for Governor of Gagauzia. He said he would retain his parliamentary mandate but suspend it for the duration of the electoral campaign.
The election for Governor of Gagauzia is scheduled for November 15, alongside the election of a new composition of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia.