The replacement of the electoral system is the most important accomplishment of the current Parliament. The legislative body also adopted approaches that led to the improvement of people’s lives. Even the laws adopted in 2018 brought economic benefits, Speaker Andrian Candu stated in the talk show “Friday with Anatolie Golea” on RTR Moldova channel. He said he does not agree with the criticism that the government exerts pressure on the independent press, noting the team of the Democratic Party, of which he forms part, has persons who can ensure the functioning of the state at any level after the future elections.
Andrian Candu said many of the decisions taken by the current Parliament are historical, such as the introduction of the mixed electoral system and the documents on the building of the gas pipeline and electric power lines over the Prut, which will contribute to the country’s energy security. Their effect will be felt in several years and, even if the people forget quickly who and how voted, the value of the decisions cannot be questioned.
As to the criticism that the current Parliament was inefficient and had only half of the required sittings, the Speaker said the number of sittings is not a relevant indicator, noting by the number of laws adopted by the outgoing legislature to improve people’s lives, this outdone many of the previous legislatures. As regards the observation that the Parliament was non-representative as it was dominated by one party that didn’t win a majority of seats in elections, Andrian Candu said political migration is something normal in many states, including the U.S., even if it is not approved of. The problem can be solved by applying the uninominal system as the MP’s responsibility towards the community of the constituency where this was elected and the made promises will increase.
The Speaker denied the assertions that the independent media outlets were pressurized by the authorities. “On the occasion of particular events, such as the elections, they speculate and manipulate and suggest to the people and the foreigners that the press is not independent,” he stated, avoiding to comment on the alleged cartel agreement between two media holdings that presumably limited the access of non-affiliated TV channels to advertising.
As to the referendum on the reduction in the number of MPs and the possibility of recalling the seat in particular conditions, which will be held simultaneously with the parliamentary elections of February 24, 2019, Andrian Candu said the diminution of the number of MPs will not decrease the MPs’ level of professionalism. “The role of the MPs is significant, decisive, but the legislative creation is done by the Parliament’s secretariat, commissions, consultants, expert,” he stated.
Andrian Candu said the possibility of a post-electoral alliance of the Democratic Party with the Party of Socialists is excluded for geopolitical reasons. The Democrats follow the European course, while the Socialists follow the opposite direction. The ideological ideas are also different – the Democrats share Liberal views, especially in the economic sector, and these are contrary to the views of their opponents.
