Discussions on the reformation of the electoral system can take place, but the eventual amendments can be applied only in the elections of 2022, not yet in those of 2018, considers the executive director of the Association of Independent Press (API) Petru Macovei. In a news conference at IPN, Petru Macovei said we are witnessing a campaign aimed at manipulating the public opinion in the wish to impose a subject wanted by a part of the senior administration.

“The so-called information campaign carried out by the Democratic Party is nothing but a misinformation campaign because particular ideas are turned upside down. People, including public figures, are put particular questions and their statements are then presented in a different context. Media outlets already published denials of personalities who say that they didn’t declare their support for the uninominal voting system,” stated the API executive director.

Petru Macovei said they speculate on the people’s wish to have more responsible MPs. This is done by very crass manipulating techniques. Experts’ statements are taken out of context. The TV channels of the General Media Group distorted practically all the messages transmitted by experts who had objections to bill No. 60.

“The goal was to modify the current legal framework, but they used this pretext for push the urgent adoption of a bill that replaces the electoral system,” stated Petru Macovei, noting that the government didn’t ensure appropriate consultations. “What happened on March 31 and what followed cannot be called consultations.”

According to Petru Macovei, it is not right that society in general wants the electoral system to be replaced now, before the elections of 2018, and that there is broad consensus on this reform in the Republic of Moldova.