The referendum for joining the Customs Union Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan is a step in the wrong direction and refers to a treaty of fiscal policies. Joining international organizations is done on the basis of negotiations. Constitutionally, the negotiation of treaties of major importance is the President’s prerogative. The people can be called to have their say only regarding the results of negotiations and not to start them. Initiating them on the basis of a mandatory popular vote strips the Government of any capacity of negotiation in relation with the foreign partner, according to statements made during a press conference, Info-Prim Neo reports. The head of the National Participatory Council (CNP) Sergiu Ostaf told the press that the Moldovan Constitution stipulates the necessary actions to initiate such a referendum and that the procedures of organizing the national legislative referendum for joining the Customs Union Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan are against the law. “This issue cannot be the subject of a referendum. According to Moldova’s Electoral Code, issues concerning taxes and budget cannot be subjected to national referendum. Moreover, the agreement to join this structure contravenes our obligations towards the World Trade Organization and the European Union”, stated Ostaf. Lilia Carasciuc, member of the National Participatory Council and director of Transparency International Moldova, said that the referendum was null and against national interests. The Electoral Code has many gaps that allow the law to be interpreted according to personal interests. “So far, we collected already 230,000 signatures. To organize a referendum, they need 200,000. Now, the Central Electoral Commission must prove that 200,000 signatures are absolutely legal or that the 30,000+1 are faked. None of the two options are achievable. CEC will have the signatures verified from the cabinet, without going in districts. They will compare the lists with the signatures from the electronic registry of signatures”, stated Carasciuc. Carasciuc added that no verification would provide an authenticity clause and that the Moldovan legislation had room for interpretation. “We demand the Central Electoral Commission to annul this list and the signatures to be collected again according to the law. Otherwise, we’ll have a referendum once in two weeks”, stated Carasciuc. This spring, the Social-Democratic Party created an initiative group to collect signatures for the organization of a referendum regarding Moldova’s accession to the Customs Union Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan.