Moldovan president staff asks Press Council to identify moderator for election debate

Chisinau, Oct 23 /MOLDPRES/- Maia Sandu's staff is asking the Press Council to identify one, two or as many moderators as it deems appropriate and to propose the format of the debate between the two candidates in the runoff election. The PAS candidate's team claims that this request comes after several TV channels announced that they would boycott the debate because of the presence of the moderator that the counter-candidate insists on.

Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Moldova Adrian Băluțel announced today that the request comes after the Press Council statement and the boycott announced by many TV channels.

"Given that the purpose of a debate is to be watched by citizens nationwide, we are calling on the Press Council to identify one, two or as many moderators as it deems fit to propose the format of the debate and to organize the debate. We have also proposed it to the counter-candidate team. We continue to accept any format and any moderator, but it is important that this debate takes place in accordance with the law and is broadcast by as many media outlets as possible," Băluțel said.

Yesterday, PAS presidential candidate Maia Sandu invited her counter-candidate proposed by the PSRM, Alexandr Stoianoglo, to the debate. She later announced that the debates will take place on Sunday. The candidate also spoke about the moderator of the debates. "They came up with the proposal - Gheorghe Gonța. We, just like other people or other journalists, believe that it should be an independent moderator, but in the situation where they insist, we go to the debate with whoever they feel comfortable with. It is important for us to have this debate so that people can see what our answers are to questions that are important for all citizens," Maia Sandu said.

The debates will take place at the Palace of the Republic in the capital and the broadcasting will be provided by Teleradio-Moldova.

Maia Sandu and Alexandr Stoianoglo will face each other in the runoff election. The elections are scheduled to take place two weeks after the first round - on 3 November.