Bashkan Formuzal leaves meeting of constitutional reform commission displeased

The people with the right to vote living in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia will probably not take part in the possible referendum on the modification of the Constitution of Moldova, the region's bashkan (governor) Mihail Formuzal announced at the meeting of the constitutional reform commission on Wednesday, Info-Prim Neo reports. Mihail Formuzal considers that Moldova must take into account the Venice Commission's recommendations for overcoming the political crisis. The bashkan expressed his indignation at the fact that the members of the commission did not take account of the proposals submitted by the Gagauz authorities. He demanded removing the article, which says that the representative and executive authorities of the territorial-administrative units with special status can propose legislative initiatives only in issues concerning their status, from the new draft Constitution. “The present Constitution does not limit this right. So far, the authorities of Gagauzia could submit any kind of legislative initiative,” Formuzal said. As the members of the commission refused to remove the given article, Formuzal left the meeting hall. Mihai Ghimpu said later that Mihail Formuzal sent him a letter containing different proposals, including making Russian an official language and federalizing the country. “We must depoliticize the subject. Gagauzia enjoys great autonomy. The fight started in the 1990s should be ended. We need political stability and understanding,” the Acting President said.