AEI and PCRM have dissenting opinions on modification of Constitution

Prime Minister Vlad Filat, the leader of the PLDM, hopes the factions that form the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) and the PCRM will reach a consensus about the modification of the Constitution of Moldova until the delegation of the Venice Commission returns to Moldova, i.e. by February 24. The Communists yet say they will speak about the amendment of the Constitution only after the early elections, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We have reached no agreement with the PCRM, but I have a view on this. I cannot yet make it public because I do not want to provoke reactions. The stances will be discussed inside the Alliance and then with the PCRM,” Filat said. “The PCRM is against the modification of the Constitution of Moldova. We should leave the 'exotic' (constitutional reform) commission set up by (the Acting President Mihai) Ghimpu aside and focus on important problems, without losing time,” said the Communist leader Vladimir Voronin. While in Chisinau on a working visit, the President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio said the modification of the procedure for electing the head of state is a key priority for Moldova, while other amendments can wait. He voiced hope that by the time he returns to Moldova on February 24, the political parties will have identified a solution to overcome the constitutional crisis.