Moldova Edges Closer to Election Sought by Pro-European President

Sandu wants to seize the momentum following her presidential win to secure a parliament more aligned with her pro-European outlook. The assembly is currently controlled by Dodon's Socialists and their allies, who have balked at Sandu's two picks for prime minister.

However, parliament on Wednesday backed the interim government's request to introduce a state of emergency at national level for two months, until May 30. The stakes of this political move consist in the fact that elections cannot be held during a state of emergency, according to the law.

The authorities have not published any list of concrete measures and restrictions imposed on citizens, raising suspicions that the measure was introduced only to delay the early elections sought by President Sandu.

"It is a desperate action because only some scared and desperate people can come up with such a decision, which is neither justified nor explained. It can only delay the solution of the problem [snap elections]. For us, the Constitutional Court's decision [on this matter] is important," Sandu said.

The Socialists, wary of losing a snap election, have accused Sandu of playing politics at a time of national crisis over the pandemic. Some analysts say that while the dissolution of parliament is inevitable, the Constitutional Court has been known to make surprise judgments and involving it now risks setting a precedent.

"Formally, all the requirements for the dissolution of parliament are there," said political analyst Anatol Taranu. "However, the Constitutional Court remains to confirm it. More than once it has shown it may see things peculiarly."

"Hopefully, this time, they will guide themselves by the letter of the law," he told BIRN.

Pro-European PAS...