The recently set up European People’s Group that consists of nine unaffiliated MPs will not vote for the introduction of the uninominal voting system instead of the party-list proportional representation system, the group’s leader Valeriu Giletski announced in the hearings centering on the Democratic Party’s relevant initiative. On April 14, the discussions centered the dismissal of MPs, IPN reports.
Valeriu Giletski said the members of the group consider some of the provisions of the current Electoral Code should be improved. There is no member state of the Council of Europe with such an electoral system and Moldova should not be the first in this regard. “I’m convinced that no matter what model is adopted in the end, this provision that is now unconstitutional should not form part of the amendments to the Electoral Code,” stated the MP.
Under the PDM’s bill, the discharge of an MP by referendum can be initiated if this does not respect the interests of the community in the constituency where he was chosen and does not appropriately fulfill the duties of MP, violates the moral and ethical norms. The dismissal can be initiated by a group of MPs created by people from the uninominal constituency where this was elected, who should collect the signatures of 1/3 of locals. The date of referendum is set by the Central Election Commission based on the court’s relevant decision. The decision on the removal of MP is considered adopted by local referendum if at least half of the voters in the given constituency vote for it, but not less than the number of people who voted for the MP.
Secretary general of the Constitutional Court Rodica Secrieru made reference to the Court’s decision of June 2012 concerning the interpretation of articles of the Constitution. In that decision, the Court held that in the logic of free representation, the mandate of MP is irrevocable. The voters cannot make this end before time. It is important to make a distinction between the seat of MP and the mandate of local elected official.
Political analyst Vitalie Andrievski said the power in the state belongs to the people, but the citizens make use of this right only once in four years. Being chosen for four years, some of the MPs forget about the made promises and act as they like. As the President can be suspended or removed from office or the mayor can be dismissed, there should be mechanisms for dismissing MPs as well. Even if there are no cases of dismissal of MPs, these will anyway be more careful when they work out electoral programs or make promises.
National Liberal Party chairwoman Vitalia Pavlichenko said the party she heads is against the proposed electoral system. The mixed system is acceptable and this should be considered. The electoral threshold should be removed so as to stimulate political competition.
Leader of the Social Democratic Party Victor Shelin noted the discussions on this bill should not be held between large and small parties as each of these pursues own goals. It is the people who should be asked. A referendum should be held for the people to say if they are for or against the proposed voting system.
The legislative initiative to introduce the uninominal voting system was registered in Parliament by Democratic MPs in the middle of March.
