{Year 2012 in Facts and Figures. Article originally published on December 28} [– January 1:] The Communist Party proposed the first governor of the National Bank of Moldova Leonid Talmaci for the post of head of state. Political analyst Oazu Nantoi put himself forward for the presidency. Both of the candidates were rejected by the Alliance for European Integration, which suggested holding a referendum for amending the constitutional article concerning the election of the head of state. [– February 4:] The Communists demanded holding early legislative elections in April or May. There was issued an orange code advisory for cold. Temperatures dropped to minus 26 degrees Celsius. The severe frost endangered the autumn crops. [– February 11:] The Alliance for European Integration abandoned the idea of holding a referendum for amending the constitutional article concerning the election of the head of state. [– February 15 – June 14:] The Communist MPs had boycotted the Parliament’s sittings. [– February 22:] The PLDM and PDM announced that two persons would be designated as candidates for the presidency – former health minister Ion Ababii, and former deputy governor of the National Bank Veronica Bacalu. [– March 3:] There was held the joint meeting of the Government of Romania and the Government of Moldova in Iasi. [– March 6:] Communist MP Artur Reshetnikov was dismissed from the post of Deputy Head of Parliament. [– March 7:] Presidential elections were set for March 16. [– March 16:] Nicolae Timofti was elected President by the votes of 62 lawmakers. [– April 5:] The private TV channel NIT remained without broadcast license. [– April 25:] Moldova’s Ambassador in Moscow Andrei Neguta was recalled after making statements that were considered incompatible with the post he held. [– April 26:] Railway traffic through the Transnistrian region was resumed. The first freight train set off from Rybnitsa. [– May 18:] Sheriff Tiraspol became again national football champion. The Transnistrian team had won their 11th title. [– May 25:] Parliament passed the Law on Guaranteeing of Equality in two readings. [– June 7:] MPs Vadim Misin, Oleg Babenko, and Tatiana Botnariuc left the Communist Party. Afterward, they created their own party - Renastere-Возрождение (“Renaissance”). [– June 19:] The Constitutional Court decided that the seat of MP can be withdrawn if the lawmakers avoid doing their duties. [– June 27:] The European Commission decided to switch to the second stage of the talks on the liberalization of the visa regime with Moldova. [– July 12:] Parliament condemned the totalitarian Communist regime, banning the use of this regime’s symbols – hammer and sickle - all over Moldova for political and propaganda purposes. [– July 24:] Prime Minister Vlad Filat requested President Nicolae Timofti to discharge Minister of the Interior Alexei Roibu and Minister of Education Mihail Shleahtitski, based on their resignations. He also proposed naming Maia Sandu as Minister of Education and Dorin Recean as Minister of the Interior. [– July 26:] The councilors of Balti municipality decided to hold a local referendum for extending the local autonomy on September 9, but it didn’t take place. [– July 29:] Weightlifter Cristina Iovu brought the first medal won at the London Olympic Games to Moldova. She won a bronze in the 53kg class. [– August 4:] Anatolie Ciricu won a bronze medal at the London Olympics in the 94kg class. It was his first participation in the Olympic Games. [– August 22:] German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Moldova. She said that Germany is one of the most important trade partners of Moldova, with the German entrepreneurs contributing to the development of its industry and agriculture and creating numerous workplaces in Moldova. [– September 10:] There was held the first round of elections to choose deputies in the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. There were elected 13 deputies of 35. [– September 18:] The Communist Party challenged the legislative provisions that ban the use of the Communist symbols – hammer and sickle – for political purposes in the Constitutional Court. [– September 23:] The 13 deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia elected in the first round of voting were joined by another 22 who were chosen in the second round. Out of the 35 deputies, 25 are independents, 7 represent the Communist Party, two represent the Liberal Democratic Party, while one - the Socialist Party. [– September 26:] The drivers working on all the Chisinau maxi-taxi routes, except several carriers, came together to protest. They demanded increasing the fare from 3 to 5 lei. After two days, they abandoned the protests. [– September 28:] MP Ion Ceban left the Communist parliamentary faction and joined the group of Socialists. [– October 9:] The Russian authorities announced officially the Moldovan authorities that the Bryansk terminal for the import of Moldovan alcoholic beverages was opened. [– October 18:] The Ministerial Council of the Energy Community allowed Moldova to derogate from Energy Package III of the EU. 2020 is the requested deadline. [– October 19:] Parliament passed the 2013 state budget law in two readings. It provides for revenues of 22.7 billion lei and a total expenditure of 23.6 billion lei, with a deficit of 874.8 million lei. The incomes of the national public budget for 2013 will be about 37 billion lei, while the expenditure – 38.1 billion lei. [– November 29:] The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso arrived in Chisinau. He came to Moldova for the first time, at the invitation of Prime Minister Vlad Filat. [– December 3:] Polish President Bronisław Komorowski came to Moldova on an official visit. He voiced hope that the results achieved by the Moldovans would motivate the other member states of the Eastern Partnership to implement reforms. [– December 6:] Parliament supported the initiative to declare 2013 as the Year of Spiridon Vangheli. A series of events will be held to honor the 80-year-old writer. [– December 7:] The two Chambers of the U.S. Congress voted in favor of freeing Moldova from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment that limits trade with the United States. [– December 12:] MP Sergiu Sarbu left the Communist Party and its parliamentary group, arguing he no longer identified himself with this party. He said he will serve as independent MP, but may join a left-wing political project. [– December 19:] Moldova’s President Nicolae Timofti signed a decree to name Andrei Galbur as Moldova’s Ambassador to Russia. [– December 20:] The 2013 draft budget of Chisinau municipality that was proposed to the Municipal Council for adoption in the first reading didn’t poll a sufficient number of votes. [– December 24:] Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Vlad Filat. At the end of 2011, he promised that he will resign if Moldova does not obtain a visa-free regime with the EU by the end of 2012. The Premier didn’t accept his resignation, saying Iurie Leanca is one of the ministers who achieved the greatest results in their work. [Mariana Galben, Info-Prim Neo]