The bill instituting a women’s electoral representation quota of 30%, which was passed in the first reading, could be adopted in the second reading with an amendment concerning the position of women on the lists of election candidates. Each third candidate should be female, Deputy Head of Parliament Liliana Palihovici said in an interview for Radio Free Europe, quoted by IPN.

“We accept the amendment that each third person on the list of election candidates must be female, which is aimed at improving the bill and at completing the formulation proposed by us. This would mean 30% of the candidates,” stated Liliana Palihovici. She added that there are great chances for this bill to be passed in the second reading as it is supported by the largest part of the MPs, judging by the discussions they had.

As to the bill to amend the Parliament’s Regulations put forward by the Ministry of Labor, which provides that at least 40% of the members of the Standing Bureau must be women, Liliana Palihovici stated that this bill was criticized harshly and it is actually rather hard to implement such a provision. “I think this bill will need much more time to reach the second reading than the first bill, which refers to the modification of the Election Code only. My forecasts about this bill are more pessimistic,” said the Deputy Speaker.

The bill to amend the Election Code was adopted in the first reading last week.