The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has rejected the request to register the initiative group supporting the organization of a republican consultative referendum, submitted by the Heart of Moldova Party. According to the CEC, the proposed referendum question exceeds the constitutional and legal framework, violates clear formulation principles, and therefore cannot be valid for submission to a citizen vote, IPN reports.

The proposed question for the consultative referendum was: “Do you agree that the Republic of Moldova should obtain international recognition of its neutrality, to receive guarantees of non-involvement in armed conflicts and non-adherence to military alliances?”.

According to the CEC, the initiative group formulated a question containing three mutually exclusive dimensions: international recognition of neutrality, guarantees of non-involvement in armed conflicts, and non-adherence to military alliances. This contravenes the provisions of the Electoral Code, which prohibit contradictory questions in a referendum, a stance supported by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

CEC member Rita Lefter-Simasco stated that the proposed question exceeds the constitutional and legal framework applicable to a referendum, as well as the state’s competencies in relation to international partners. “It does not meet the conditions of clarity, legal compliance, and applicability necessary for submission to a citizen vote,” said Simasco.

Additionally, the question introduces a conditional aspect by associating international recognition of neutrality with guarantees of non-involvement in armed conflicts and non-adherence to military alliances, which goes beyond the scope of a national referendum’s competencies.

Simasco added that Moldova cannot impose international commitments on other states or international structures through a popular vote; such guarantees are subject to diplomatic negotiations and international treaties, not a referendum. Any initiative of this kind must distinguish between the state’s obligations in times of peace and war, in accordance with constitutional court interpretations.

According to CEC Vice President Pavel Postica, the subject of the proposed referendum is already enshrined in the Constitution.

Irina Vlah, president of the Heart of Moldova Party, stated that the initiative to hold a referendum arose from numerous meetings and consultations with citizens who requested guarantees of international neutrality. She also expressed the desire for the referendum to coincide with the parliamentary elections.

Vlah announced that she will challenge the CEC’s decision, considering it to serve the interests of the government rather than the people, IPN notes.