This article is part of an IPN series which aims to provide basic biographical data, short information on incomes and assets as well as professional background of Chisinau mayoral candidates.

Born in Holercani village, Dubăsari district, Vitalie Marinuța runs for Chisinau mayor as a representative of the Green Party, occupying the ninth slot on the ballot.

Marinuța is 49 years old. He earned an International Relations bachelor degree and a master’s degree in Public Administration.

The Green Party’s candidate started his military career in 1992 serving in the Special Operations Battalion of the Ministry of Defense. From July 2006 to June 2007, he headed MoD’s Department for International Cooperation and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

Vitalie Marinuța served as Minister of Defense from 2009 to 2014, and in 2015 he went on to become manager of Mari Grup, a limited liability company he founded ten years earlier.

Throughout his military career Marinuța was awarded multiple medals and distinctions in Moldova and other countries.

According to his income and assets declaration for 2017-2018, Vitalie Marinuța earned 36,000 in salaries from Mari Grup and 14,000 lei more from the Armed Forces Academy. He also earned 163,000 lei in pension payments from the Ministry of Defense and 15,000 lei in fees from Orizont Lyceum. Vitalie Marinuța owns a Toyota Prius with a declared value of 7,000 euros.

As a mayor, Vitalie Marinuța promises to appoint department heads exclusively based on professional merits. A highlight of his Green Party-supported manifesto is the promise to improve municipal waste management by implementing a modern sorting and recycling strategy, which includes building a plant. He also plans to involve the business more in solving the city’s problems and create a municipal public order police force. Promoting culture and attracting foreign tourists are also on his manifesto.