Moldovan coalition leaders at odds over constitutional referendum
The leaders of the Moldovan ruling coalition are at odds over the need to call a constitutional referendum, the private ProTV Chisinau channel reported on 15 March.
The disagreements among the four leaders resurfaced shortly after they announced their decision to call a referendum on amending the mechanism for electing the president in order to avoid an early parliamentary election.
Under the current constitution, the parliament elected on 29 July 2009 should be dissolved after 16 June 2010 as it has failed to elect a president twice.
Commenting on recommendations by the Venice Commission that the Moldovan ruling coalition amend the mechanism for electing the president in parliament, avoid a referendum and call an early parliamentary election, the acting president and leader of the Liberal Party, Mihai Ghimpu, said during a ProTV talk show that it was up to the ruling coalition, not the Venice Commission, to take a decision.
Moldova needs to avoid an early election because "the possibility of the Communist Party's return to power is not ruled out," Ghimpu told ProTV.
On the other hand, the leader of the senior coalition partner, Liberal Democratic Party, and prime minister, Vlad Filat, was shown saying that it was meaningless to change the constitution if Moldova turns a deaf ear to European partners.
"Our goal is to integrate in the EU. We can meet this goal only with support of our European partners. I see no reason for amending the constitution, if we lose European support. The position of the Venice Commission is important for us," Filat said.
For his part, the leader of the junior coalition partner, Our Moldova Alliance, Serafim Urechean, said that Moldova should swiftly put together a draft new constitution and submit it to the Venice Commission.
"If the position of the Venice Commission on the draft constitution is negative, we will look fo! r other solutions," Urechean was shown saying.
The honorary chairman of the Democratic Party, Dumitru Diacov, said that a large number of members of his party were "puzzled" by the ruling coalition's decision.
"This version has never been discussed within the alliance and it came as a total surprise for us," Diacov said.
-
Related News
- Moldova wants to gain NATO’s support
- Moldova, closer to have a visa-free travel regime with EU
- Moldova’s Liberal Party has three nominations for presidency
- Never on trial, but already justified
- STRATFOR: “Moldova's small size and strategic location is a main factor in the weakness of the state and its ability to balance between external powers”
- Transnistrian conflict discussed in Bucharest
- Leader of Transnistria changed his mind
- Moldova and the United States assess their 20 years of diplomatic relations
- Dirk Schuebel: “Visa liberalisation does neither concern long term stays nor employment”
- Moldova-Ukraine relations assessed as positive
- 10 most important world events of 2005
- The rise and fall of Saddam Hussein
- Iraq: Saddam Hussein and another ex-senior officials sentenced to death by hanging
- Analysis: Black Sea Rivalry
- Report: Saddam Hussein has been executed
- On 31 August Moldova celebrates the Language Day
- Sexual humiliation and torture of female protesters reported
- Saddam Hussein handed over to Iraqi authorities, say lawyers
- Saddam Hussein's execution could be within next 48-36 hours
- Deadly blast at checkpoint near Peshawar