Members of the team of the fugitive politician Ilan Shor on Thursday went to the Central Election Commission (CEC) to register an initiative group for the organization of a consultative referendum on the country’s foreign policy course and status of neutrality, IPN reports.
Shor’s team came accompanied by persons who during short periods of time blocked Vasile Alecsandri St. Later, the people were dispersed to the sidewalks by police officers. The participants carried placards with words written mostly in Russian and chanted “Referendum!”.
In front of the crowd, mayor of Orhei Pavel Verejanu said that in the last protests staged, the issue of neutrality was more often raised. The people are those who should decide the country’s course. “Today, with the initiative group, we will register the people’s wish – to collect signatures in favor of a referendum,” stated the mayor.
For his part, the head of Orhei district Dinu Țurcanu said that the meeting to constitute the working group was held at the house of culture of Orhei on June 4. The citizens should answer the questions: “Do you support the continuation of the processes of integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union?” and “Are you for maintaining the status of neutrality of the Republic of Moldova?”.
‘The people should participate directly and should be consulted about major issues, while the referendum is the supreme and most important form of democracy when it goes to the building of the rule of law and the country’s future,” noted Dinu Țurcanu.
Contacted by IPN for details, CEC secretary Alexandr Berlinschii said the Commission has 15 days at its disposal to examine the submitted documents and in a public meeting later will decide whether to register the initiative group or not. If a decision favorable to the applicants is taken, these will be issued with lists for collecting signatures in favor of the referendum.
