CHISINAU. July 8 (Interfax) - The Moldovan Party of Socialists has proposed former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo as the single opposition candidate for president.
"We will not nominate a party candidate but will support a non-party member, a common candidate, a candidate of national compromise around whom many opposition forces can be consolidated and a large share of voting citizens can be mobilized. [...] Mr. Alexandr Stoianoglo is a candidate of this kind, with a strong character and the highest professional and human qualities, whom the Party of Socialists and I personally will strongly support at the presidential election that we seek to win," Party of Socialists head Igor Dodon said at a press briefing on Monday. Stoianoglo also took part in the press briefing.
The party's executive committee unanimously decided to back a single presidential candidate, he said.
"Most citizens agree that it's time for opposition political forces to consolidate, or else nothing will change in the country," Dodon said.
He urged all political leaders to show wisdom, disregard personal ambitions and support Stoianoglo as the people's candidate for president. "I propose that we meet and discuss our next steps. This is a unique chance for Moldova," he said.
Stoianoglo favors European integration and Moldovan neutrality. "I am offended by European integration being used as a bludgeon instead of a prerogative for the country's modernization and the unity of the people. It is disgusting that a neutral Moldova is being transformed into a battlefield and a territory of conflict. The ruling party is not the only one drawn into this game. A European Moldova should be neutral in order to have space for cooperation between countries and peoples," he said at the press briefing.
Born on June 3, 1967, Stoianoglo served as a member of parliament representing the Democratic Party in 2009-2014 and the Moldovan prosecutor general in 2019-2021. He was relieved of his duties after indictment on five counts (abuse of office, passive corruption, and false declarations) and was under house arrest and on probation. There was no final ruling on either charge. Stoianoglo pled not guilty and said his case was politically motivated.
The Moldovan presidential election is scheduled for October 20. The formal nomination of presidential candidates will begin after August 20.