The pro-Russian mayor of Chisinau, who is courting Romanian political leaders, has launched a new party. Ion Ceban, a formidable politician in Moldova

Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban announced on Tuesday that he is officially launching the National Alternative Movement Party, reports Agora. Ceban, a pro-Russian politician who also courts Romanian politicians, was a prominent leader in Igor Dodon’s Socialist Party but has gradually distanced himself from the former Moldovan president.

Ceban is one of Moldova’s most formidable politicians, with the second highest number of votes after President Maia Sandu.

If he manages to establish branches across the country, Ceban could become a major player in the parliamentary elections scheduled for 2025.

Who is Ion Ceban

In May, Chisinau City Hall, led by Ion Ceban, banned the Romanian station „Radio Chisinau” from using the name „Chisinau”. The situation was resolved after lengthy negotiations.

Ceban is a harsh critic of the current pro-European majority that controls Moldova’s presidency, government and parliament.

Ceban has also launched a diplomatic offensive in Romania in recent years, trying to forge partnerships with Bucharest’s mayors-general and sector mayors. At the same time, however, he maintains extremely close relations with Russia.

Earlier this year, Ceban has been on a tour of Romania in recent weeks, meeting top leaders. A promoter of the policy advocated by former Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin, known in Moldova as the ” calf with two mothers „, suggesting political duality, Ceban has been touring the local administrations, where he wants to attract partnerships with Chisinau, and also at central level.

List of Ceban’s meetings in Romania, according to posts on his Facebook page:

Marcel Ciolacu (PSD President), Ministers Cseke Attila (Development) and Alexandru Rafila (Health), PSD Senator Paul Stănescu, Hubert Thuma (President of Ilfov County Council), Ionel Arsene (Head of Neamt County Council), Petre Neagu (President of Buzău County Council). Emil Boc (Mayor of Cluj), Mihai Chirica (Mayor of Iasi), Radu Mihaiu (Mayor of Sector 2), Robert Negoiță (Mayor of Sector 3), Daniel Băluță (Mayor of Sector 4), Cristian Piedone (Mayor of Sector 5), Soós Zoltán (Mayor of Târgul Mureș). Gabriel Pleșa (Mayor of Alba Iulia), Tiberiu Iacob-Ridzi (Mayor of Petroșani), Laurențiu Nistor (President of Hunedoara County Council), Florin Oancea (Mayor of Deva).

Ion Ceban is a politician who was part of the Party of Communists (PCRM) led by former communist and authoritarian President Vladimir Voronin, and then was one of the first defectors to the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) in 2012, led by former pro-Russian President Igor Dodon.

At the end of 2021, he announced that he was leaving the PSRM to create his own party called the National Alternative Movement (MAN). In the past year, Ceban has changed his initial strategy, based almost exclusively on support from Russia. He now advocates a pro-European and especially pro-Romanian outlook.

One of Ceban’s main meetings was with Marcel Ciolacu and Paul Stănescu. Ceban wrote on Facebook after the meeting with the PSD leaders that among the topics discussed were „the launching and prospects of the National Alternative Movement (MAN – his new party)” and the potential for collaboration with the Romanian side.

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