Moldovan Opposition Objects To Poll On Parliamentary Vote
Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca
July 21, 2009
CHISINAU -- Moldova's main opposition parties have lashed out at a Chisinau NGO for publishing an opinion poll showing them virtually tied with the ruling Communists just days ahead of the July 29 parliamentary elections, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.
According to the IPP poll released today, the Communists would receive some 31 percent of the vote and secure 51 seats in the country's 101-member parliament, less than the 60 they won in the April 5 elections.
Dorin Chirtoaca, a leading official in the Liberal Party of Moldova and the mayor of Chisinau, called the poll "not serious" and "inaccurate."
Chirtoaca and other opposition leaders claim they have made much greater gains among voters since the last elections, won by the Communist Party, which were followed by violent protests and police brutality.
The Liberal Party had the second most support in the poll, with 13 percent, while the Democratic Party received 9 percent, and the Liberal Democrats 7 percent. Some 28 percent of those polled said they are undecided.
The parliament's inability to elect a new president forced the government to call new elections.
The IPP is seen as being slightly pro-opposition.