July 18 (SeeNews) - Some 36% of Moldovans would vote for the pro-Russian Socialist Party (PSRM) if parliamentary elections were held this Sunday, a new poll shows.
Some 16% of respondents would vote for the pro-European Action and Solidarity party (PAS) led by Maia Sandu, while 9% would vote for pro-EU Dignity and Truth political party (PPDA) of Andrei Nastase, according to the results of the poll released by the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) on Tuesday.
Only 9% of those polled would vote for the governing Democratic Party (PDM) led by Vlad Plahotniuc.
Some 64% of all respondents said they were 'very likely' to vote, while 21% were 'somewhat likely' to cast ballots in the next parliamentary elections, while the rest said they would not vote. The anticipated high voter turnout figure has remained statistically stable since September 2016, IRI noted.
The survey was conducted by IRI's Center for Insights in Survey Research between May 21 and June 18. The sample consisted of 1,517 permanent residents of Moldova aged 18 and older and eligible to vote. The margin of error does not exceed plus or minus 2.5%.
Moldova has parliamentary elections scheduled for this autumn.
The largest political force in Moldova's parliament elected in 2014 is the PD with 41 of 101 seats. PSRM is the second biggest force in parliament with 24 seats, followed by the Liberal Party (PLD) and European Popular Parliamentary Group with 9 seats each. The Communist Party has 6 MPs, Liberal Democratic Part (PLDM) has 5 seats, and independent MPs hold 6 seats. One seat is vacant.
In June, thousands of people protested in Chisinau after Moldova's top court cancelled the election victory of a pro-European candidate for the post of city mayor. The people gathered in support of winner and PPDA leader Andrei Nastase, who defeated the Socialist candidate, Ion Ceban.
On June 25, Moldova's Supreme Court invalidated the results of the Chisinau mayoral election in a final ruling, citing illegal campaigning on the voting day. As a result of the annulment of the outcome of the vote the European Commission froze the disbursement of the first tranche of a 100 million euro ($117 million) aid package to Moldova in July.
On June 28, the US embassy in Moldova called the court's decision 'non-transparent' and said that it represents a threat to Moldovan democracy.