The European People’s Party (EPP), which has the largest group in the European Parliament, denounces the change in the electoral system in the Republic of Moldova following today’s adoption in parliament, and strongly condemns the parliament’s disregard for the recommendations of the Venice Commission, IPN reports, quoting Radio Free Europe.

In a press statement published on its website, the party says the new electoral law has been adopted in a hasty and opaque manner without involving neither the opposition nor the full range of the civil society.

“It is a disgrace that the majority of the Moldovan parliament chose today for its citizens authoritarianism over democracy, corruption over transparency, and chaos over rule of law. It is really regretful that 74 members of the parliament chose to strengthen the autocracy of the Democratic Party and the Socialists with its leader Plahotniuc instead of defending the interests of its people,“ said EPP President Joseph Daul.

Given the grave situation and the complete denial of the Democratic Party and the Socialists towards the Venice Commission’s recommendations and EU’s demands, EPP calls on the European Commission to stop any funding and re-evaluate the EU-Moldova Association Agreement.