The leader of the initiative group for creating the Political Party “For People, Nature and Animals” (PONA) Ion Dron said the freedom of political association is restricted in Moldova. Some of the democratic processes, such as the registration of parties, are blocked and the relevant requirements imposed by law cannot be met in Moldova.

In a news conference at IPN, Ion Dron reminded that the law on political parties adopted in 2007 provides that the initiative group should present a list with 4,000 members, with party local offices in at least half of Moldova’s districts and with at least 120 members in these districts, for having the party registered. Such requirements are too harsh in the conditions existing in Moldova and are discriminatory.

The leader of the initiative group made reference to an international study that analyzed the legislation of 21 countries. The minimum number of signatures for registering a party varies: 30 in Turkey, 100 in Croatia and 500 in Russia. In the Republic of Moldova, 4,000 signatures are needed. These conditions are severe only in Moldova, Armenia and Ukraine.

The initiative group for creating the Political Party “For People, Nature and Animals” notified the Constitutional Court. “We consider Article 41 of the Constitution does not say that I have the right to affiliate myself politically with 4,000 persons. On October 1, the Constitutional Court had a hearing. After questioning the sides and having deliberations, the Court decided to drop the case. It adopted no decision on this case for the reason that the judges could not reach a consensus, which is two were for accepting the challenge, while two were against,” stated Ion Dron.

“The system of forming political parties in the Republic of Moldova is now the privilege of those who have sacks of stolen money. The system of forming parties now in the Republic of Moldova does not foster the civic activism of honest, young people. It is hard to collect now 4,000 signatures in villages that are empty given that by 100 people daily leave Moldova. Where should I currently find 100 politically active people in the villages and districts of the the Republic of Moldova?” asked Ion Dron.

On January 21, a hearing will be held to examine the initiative group’s lawsuit against the authorities that refused to register the party.