Ion Sturza, about a possible candidacy of Victoria Belous for Chisinau Mayor: "From a little-known person from Finance to the mayor of a big city is a long road." The former prime minister suggests that he has another candidate in mind

Former Prime Minister Ion Sturza comments on the prospect of a possible candidacy of Victoria Belous for the position of general mayor of Chisinau. Although he describes her as a combative person, loyal to the ruling party and capable of administering the capital, Sturza doubts her chances of winning the elections, citing her low notoriety and lack of a sufficiently strong political profile. In a post on social networks, the former Prime Minister claims that transforming a former Minister of Finance into a competitive candidate for Chisinau City Hall would require more time and suggests that he would prefer another person, whom he describes as young, visible, hardworking and charismatic, without revealing her identity.

Sturza begins by appreciating the qualities of Victoria Belous, stating that she could be a good mayor, including in comparison to the current mayor of the capital.

"Let me give my opinion. Otherwise I'll fall behind the people in Chisinau. Mrs. Victoria Belous is a fighter. Regardless of the field, if she needs to move forward, she will. And I don't think she goes too far out of the rule party's personnel policy. Loyal and square. Moreover, I don't think she would be a bad mayor. At least compared to the current one.", Sturza wrote on his Facebook page.

However, the former prime minister believes that administrative experience is not enough to win an electoral competition and emphasizes notoriety and charisma.

"But… the mayor is not appointed by the party. He has to win the vote of the citizens of the city. This is where the problems arise. From a little-known man from Finance to the mayor of a big city is a long way. Something more is needed: charisma, notoriety, a politician's profile. Is it possible to build such a profile in a year? Yes, if we don't want to win the elections. We have seen something like this in the not-so-distant past. Unless we want to have another Minister of Finance… But this is my speculation.", he added.

Ion Sturza suggests that he is considering another possible candidate for the leadership of the capital, without specifying who he is talking about.

"I, for one, have another candidate in mind. Young, experienced, curious to find out what the local administration is up to. Supported by the townspeople, I think. Visible, hardworking and with a bit of charisma. Shall we vote for him?", suggested Ion Sturza.