European Forum

Moldovan government to hold Constitutional referendum, excluding early poll

This week (9 March) the leaders in Moldova of the ruling coalition Alliance for European Integration (AIE) decided in a joint meeting, to organize a referendum until 16 June in order to adopt a new Constitution. “New Constitution through referendum", announced the acting President, Mihai Ghimpu, after the meeting. He noted that the first step should be voting by simple majority, of the law concerning the adoption of the new Constitution. Based on this law, the Parliament votes the Constitution by articles, and then a referendum will be organized. “The adopting of a new Constitution does not mean total review of the current Constitution. It means adjustment, correction, in order to have a Constitution corresponding to the objective established by the AEI, and to European standards and regulations", Ghimpu said.

The Prime Minister, Vlad Filat, explained that in case of adoption of the new Constitution through referendum, the current Parliament will be able to exercise his mandate of four years until the end, thereby avoid early Parliamentary elections. “It is important for this new Constitution to be able to answer current questions and avoid future political crises and situations, said Filat. The leader of the Democratic Party (PDM), Marian Lupu, said the referendum should include questions attractive for voters, in order to make them support the Constitution amending. Leaders of the ruling AEI mentioned that the version of the new Constitution will be presented to the public for debate as soon as possible. The referendum is considered valid, if 50%+1 citizens with the right to vote participate. 

Commission for examination 
On December 1, 2009, President Ghimpu issued a decree about the establishment of a commission for Constitution revision. The Commission examines the possibility of amendment of Article 78, which refers to the procedure of President Election and witch currently provides that the President is elected by the vote of at least 3/5 of Members. The Alliance made its decision, despite of the fact that its leaders expressed different opinions, lately, concerning the possibility of Constitution amendment. A mission of experts of the Venice Commission, furthermore, suggested that it would be appropriate to amend a single article of the Constitution regarding the procedure of President Election. This amendment should be adopted by the Parliament, as a result of consensus between Parliamentary groups. 

The Communist opposition already said that it will block any attempt of amending the supreme law, by boycotting all upcoming sessions of the Parliament. 

Sources: Azi.md; Infotag (image)