Maia Sandu

Moldova's Supreme Court of Justice on Tuesday told the Central Electoral Commission, CEC, to open 191 polling stations for diaspora voters, as the Foreign Affairs Ministry had asked, after a three-week internal political row.

The judges ruled that the CEC had abused its powers and opposed the Foreign Ministry proposal to open more voting stations for Moldovans abroad.

The 80-year-old former President and Soviet-era hangover is running again for office in the July elections - challenging pro-Western forces in tandem with his disciple-turned-rival, Igor Dodon.

Moldova commemorated 80 years since the first of three massive waves of deportations ordered by the Soviet authorities and executed by NKVD special services.

Moldova's pro-Western President, Maia Sandu, has accused the Interior Ministry of following her family members as the campaign starts for the early parliamentary elections to be held on July 11.

Green-Left Trend?

Croatian leader of 'Mozemo' Party Tomislav Tomasevic casts his ballot at a polling station in downtown Zagreb, Croatia. Photo: EPA-EFE/ANTONIO BAT

Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia signed a memorandum in Kyiv on Monday that formalises their cooperation on a joint path towards membership of the European Union.

Moldovan Foreign Minister Aureliu Ciocoi said that by signing the document, the three countries with European aspirations are sending another strong signal that they will continue to implement reform and modernisation plans.

Prime Minister Florin Citu on Tuesday had a meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, on which occasion they discussed the conditions under which Romanian citizens of the Republic of Moldova can get immunised against COVID-19 in vaccination centres in Romania, regardless of whether or not they have a domicile in our country.

Romania remains the main partner of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, in this sense being also the consistent support offered for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Klaus Iohannis said at the meeting he had on Tuesday, at the Cotroceni Palace, with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

Moldovan deputies taking a vote in the parliament. Photo: EPA/Doru Dumitru

"Maia Sandu will organise these elections from her office, as 120 million lei [about 6 million euros] are needed for the elections, and parliament will not vote for that," Dodon said, referencing the pro-EU President seeking early polls.

The Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that the circumstances justifying the dissolution of parliament have been met, enabling President Maia Sandu to sign the dissolution decree and bringing early elections closer.