AEI could initiate modification of Constitution to allow people to directly vote for head of state, PDM president of honor

The situation after the last three parliamentary elections, when the Parliament has encountered difficulties in electing the head of state, could have been avoided if the people have had the possibility of voting for the President themselves, considers the president of honor of the Democratic Party (PDM) Dumitru Diacov, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Constitution of Moldova does not provide for alternatives in electing the head of state, while the Communist MPs misinterpreted the stipulations of the Constitution when they presented alternative candidates for the presidency in the Parliament, Diacov said at a news conference on Monday. “We did not want to look ridiculous by fielding a decorative candidate,” the MP said. According to him, the first round of presidential elections could take place on October 23 as planned initially, even if only Lupu was registered as candidate for the presidency. But the MPs could ask the Constitutional Court to interpret the Constitution. Dumitru Diacov also said that the Alliance for European Integration is considering the possibility of modifying the Constitution so as to allow the people to chose the President by direct vote and avoid similar situations in the future. There could be held a referendum or the issue could be put to the vote in the Parliament. However, at least two thirds of votes will be needed in the second case to adopt a decision.