Constitutional judge Eduard Ababei announced his decision to refrain from taking part in the examination of the challengers referring to the Russian loan. The essence of the challenges is being examined by the Constitutional Court on May 7, IPN reports.

At the start of the meeting, Eduard Ababei argued that he is related to one of the members of the Government, namely Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Pușcuța, Minister of Finance. But the Ministry of Finance is one of the institutions responsible for the negotiation of the lending agreement with Russia. So as to avoid eventual speculations about his impartiality, he decided to refrain from the examination.

Also then, Socialist MP Vasile Bolea asked to replace judge Nicolae Roșca as he, before taking up the duties of constitutional judge, was a member of the Action and Solidarity Party and also the lawyer for the PAS leader Maia Sandu, while Sergiu Litvinenco, the author of one of the challenges, forms part of the PAS.

Pro Moldova MP Sergiu Sîrbu said the request of the Socialist MP is groundless as Vasile Bolea exerts inadmissible pressure on the CC judges.

PAS MP Sergiu Litvinenco noted that Vasile Bolea does not provide legal arguments and resorts to labeling and this does not match his status of chairman of the Parliament’s legal commission for appointments and immunities.

PPPDA MP Dinu Plângău also said that the request is groundless.

As a result of deliberations, the Court decided to reject Vasile Bolea’s request to replace Nicolae Roșca.

The agreement on the lending of €200 million by Russia to Moldova was ratified by Parliament last week. The Constitutional Court suspended the agreement until the case is examined based on the challenges filed by MPs of the Pro Moldova group, the PAS and the PPPDA.