Representatives of a number of civil society organizations, who criticized the attempt to change the electoral system during protests, refuse to take part in the public debates on the introduction of the mixed-member electoral system staged by Parliament. In a news conference at IPN on June 30, these read a statement saying that since the recommendations of the Venice Commission are not respected, any discussion on the proposal to change the electoral system is illogical.
Civic activist Valeriu Pasa said the invitation to take part in the debates set to take place at 4pm on June 30 was to be sent three days ago, but the announcement was made two days before the event. “We criticize them for the proposed initiatives because these imply risks. We asked to withdraw the draft law. They do not provide an answer. Despite the criticism leveled at their proposal, they say they will anyway replace the system. And now they invite us to discussions. We will not take part in debates as they are senseless,” stated Valeriu Pasa.
Expert Sergiu Tofilat said the government does not want to take into account the criticism leveled by representatives of civil society at the bill. Therefore, they will not take part in the so-called debates. “Our messages were heard by the foreign partners, but the government does not want to hear these messages. The debates will involve persons paid to manipulate. We will not take part in discussions with rules agreed beforehand,” stated the expert.
Dumitru Alaiba, programs director of the Center for Politics and Reforms, said today’s debates will most probably be simulated. “We call on the authorities to bear responsibility for the legislative initiatives they promote now as these imply major risks. Moldova slips to dictatorship and full isolation. We do not want back in 2007, when one person decided in the country,” said Dumitru Alaiba.
Transparency International Moldova president Lilia Carasciuc also challenged the debates. According to her, the Venice Commission, unlike the Moldovan politicians, took into account the position of civil society. “I’ve got the impression that they try to find a moment when we will all be on leave and there will be no control on the part of civil society in the country and they will then make reference to massive public debates that involved civil society that supports the bill,” stated Carasciuc.
The president of Transparency International Moldova spoke about the provisions that arouse the most serious concern. These refer to the modification of electoral constituencies before elections, transparency in political party funding, period of election campaign, quality of electoral rolls and voting in the diaspora. “The presidential elections showed that those from the diaspora are very active and postal voting should be probably instituted for them,” she said.
The position of the group of civil society organizations will be presented in the June 30 public debates by the representative of “Promo-LEX” Association.
