The bill stipulating that rectors are to be elected by the general assembly of the institutions and confirmed in office by presidential decree generated heated debates among MPs. According to the draft law worked out by the Government, the rector of state higher education institutions are selected by competition, by secrete vote at the general assembly of the institutions, except for the educational institutions under the President of the Republic of Moldova, subordinated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence or Moldova Information and Security Service, who are appointed by the mentioned authorities. At the same time, according to the bill, the rectors of all state higher education institutions are confirmed in office by a presidential decree. The rectors of private universities and colleges are confirmed in office by the general assembly of the institution’s founders with the approval of the Ministry of Education and Youth. Opposition MPs criticised the bill claiming it was poorly prepared and mentioning that there is no clear definition of the “general assembly”, which is actually a novelty. They also pointed out that the election of the institution’s leader by the personnel of the institution represents a Soviet-era practice. The MPs were also against the way the institution’s autonomy principle and the University Charta are disrespected. The specialised committee also disagreed with the draft law. However, the bill was accepted in the form that the rectors will be elected in two stages: by the faculties’ teaching staff and students and, after that, by the university senate. The rectors will be confirmed in office by the Government, as the present provisions stipulate. The draft law also says that students, master’s and doctor’s degree candidates are to be represented in the university senate, faculty council, and administration council of the institution at a 15 to 25% rate. The present legislation stipulates only the maximum limit of 25%. According to the new provisions, a person can occupy an administrative office in a higher education institution only during two consecutive 4-year terms.