March 26 (SeeNews) - U.S. ambassador to Moldova Dereck Hogan has urged the parties represented in parliament to negotiate the establishment of the country's new government 'as transparently as possible'.
"In order to address key issues facing the country and engage with international partners, Moldova must have a credible government with a fully functioning parliament. Therefore, we urge the government formation process to be as transparent as possible," Hogan said in an open letter to the Moldovan parliament published on Monday on the U.S. embassy's website.
"In addition, all parties should focus on the public good and work to build trust with the Moldovan people and the country’s international partners."
According to Hogan, the key priorities of the United States' relations with Moldova are to promote the development of strong government institutions and to strengthen Moldova’s sovereignty and independence and allow it to pursue its chosen European path, while maintaining constructive relations with its neighbors.
On Monday, president Igor Dodon invited the parliamentary parties to start a dialogue on putting together a ruling coalition, but received a positive answer only from the pro-Russian opposition Socialist Party (PSRM), which is the winner of the elections.
In mid-March pro-EU electoral bloc ACUM said it rejected for the second time an offer of the ruling Democratic Party (PDM) to form a government coalition in order to break the political deadlock created by the inconclusive general election.
ACUM has also declined an invitation from PSRM to form an alliance.
PSRM won 35 of 101 seats in parliament in the elections, falling short of absolute majority. PDM followed with 30 mandates, while ACUM formed by the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) led by Maia Sandu and the Dignity and Truth Platform (PPDA) of Andrei Nastase came third with 26 seats. The fourth political force which passed the 6% threshold to enter parliament is Sor Party led by businessman Ilan Sor, with seven seats. The three remaining mandates went to independent MPs.