Orhei mayor announced resignation

Mayor of Orhei municipality Tatiana Cociu announced resignation today, citing pressure on herself and her team. The announcement comes a day after fugitive Ilan Shor said he would cease all projects in Moldova and withdraw political support for some local representatives. According to legislation, the next local elections in Orhei are expected to take place on May 17, 2026.

In a video message posted on social media, Cociu stated "it is impossible to work under pressure." According to her, pressures were exerted both on the employees and residents.

Head of the CEC's communication, public relations and media department Rodica Sîrbu said that the next elections in Orhei are expected to be held on 17 May 2026.

According to Article 178 of the electoral legislation, new elections occur if: the council has been dissolved or its composition has been reduced by more than 1/3 of the number established by the Central Electoral Commission, under the present code and Law no. 436/2006 on local public administration; if the mayor's mandate has ended prematurely, according to Law no. 768/2000 on the status of the local elected official; if, even after repeated voting, the council and/or mayor has not been elected; if an administrative-territorial reorganization has occurred and, in the newly formed administrative units, the election of local public administration authorities (councils, mayors) is necessary.

No new elections for the mayor's office are organized in the last year of the mandate. New elections for the local council are not organized in the last half-year of the mandate.

The date for new elections is set by the Central Electoral Commission within a maximum of 30 days from the acknowledgment of the circumstances set in paragraph (1), at least 70 days before the election day, provided that the new elections will take place concurrently, at most twice a year, in spring and autumn.