Parliament adopted in the first reading a bill providing that the districts of special economic, cultural and historical importance can be given the status of national-cultural districts. The voting of this bill aroused controversy in Parliament, with the Liberal MPs saying such provisions were formulated with the aim of causing new problems in the country, IPN reports.

The Communist MPs, who drafted the bill, said the legislative initiative was put forward in response to a call made by residents of Taraclia district, which is mainly inhabited by Bulgarians. Such a legal provision will allow the districts to develop better from cultural viewpoint.

The Liberal MPs criticized the initiative, saying after the bill is adopted, a number of districts would apply for such a status and would then ask for autonomy. Moldova’s legislation guarantees the respect for the rights of the national minorities and there is no need to adopt additional regulations.

Even if the Liberal-Democratic faction asked postponing the vote so as to clarify all the aspects, the bill was passed by a majority of votes.