Interior Minister attends Chisinau mayoral meeting, promises better ties

Moldovan Interior Minister Victor Catan attended a meeting called by Chisinau mayor Dorin Chirtoaca today. Mr. Catan promised that he will attempt to improve ties with city hall.

The Communist-headed security forces had been in a state of permanent conflict with Chisinau authorities until recently, especially after Mr. Chirtoaca won the mayoralty in 2007. Mr. Chirtoaca's verbal parlays with deputy police inspector for Chisinau Iacob Gumenita have become legendary.

Mr. Catan said one of the first things he would do would be to appoint a new deputy police inspector for Chisinau. Chisinau mayor Dorin Chirtoaca reinforced his desire for local police forces to be transfered under the jurisdiction of local authorities. They are currently responsible to the Interior Ministry.

With the arrival of the new ruling Alliance for European Integration, analysts expect ties between central authorities and the Chisinau mayor to improve since the Liberal Party, whose deputy head is Mr. Chirtoaca, is part of the coalition. Mihai Ghimpu, the current Speaker and interim head of state, is also head of the Liberal Party.

Chisinau has always been an opposition stronghold against the Communists, who have never managed to run a successful candidate in the city.

h/t www.zdg.md