Civil society will monitor behavior of AEI

Civil society will monitor how the three parties that formed the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) observe the principles of the agreement on the constitution of the ruling alliance, how this agreement works and how the alliance governs. Such an agreement was reached in the July 4 meeting of the National Participation Council that was attended by Prime Minister Vlad Filat. The meeting was held behind closed doors. After almost four hours of dialogue, representatives of civil society said the consultations had to be initiated earlier, Info-Prim Neo reports. Sorin Mereacre, chairman of the National Participation Council, told the press after the meeting that there is insufficient communication between the components of the AEI and this may be one of the problems that hinder the election of the head of state. “We discussed solutions to the presidential crisis. Unfortunately, things did not change. We recommended that the member parties of the alliance interact more. We also discussed the problems in the legal system, the state of affairs at the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Government’s program for 2011-2014 that is not implemented because there is no consensus as regards certain reforms,” said Sorin Mereacre. Sergiu Ostaf, executive director of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CReDO), said they discussed the difficulties and communication deficiencies within the ruling alliance. “The Premier encouraged civil society to play a more active part in monitoring the government program on every segment and to identify the causes of the lack of progress,” said Sergiu Ostaf. Director of the Public Policy Institute Arcadie Barbarosie said the lack of communication damages the image of the AEI. “The people are disappointed by the quality of governance at national level. It was stressed that the reforms stagnate. We conferred on the reforms in the legal system and education, the environment problems, the steps that must be taken to combat corruption and other issues,” said Arcadie Barbarosie. Vladimir Garaba, head of the Chisinau local organization of the Ecologist Movement of Moldova, said they discussed the impasse experienced by the ruling alliance and governance-related problems. “We suggested that the three leaders should hold talks and identify solutions to the problems. The Government must continue work and the AEI should strengthen its positions because there is no other way out. The leaders of the AEI should reach a consensus and avoid the crisis,” said Vladimir Garaba. Catinca Mardarovich, president of the “Agapedia” Foundation and head of the Women’s Political Club “50/50”, said the AEI should work further. “The Premier is looking for solutions to implement the government program on the one hand and to maintain the alliance and elect the head of state on the other hand. We approve of the Prime Minister’s initiative that civil society should monitor how the agreement to constitute the AEI is observed,” said Catinca Mardarovich. She added the Head of Parliament should also call a meeting to discuss the existing problems. On July 4, Prime Minister Vlad Filat began an extensive process to consult society. During the week, he will have discussions with opinion leaders, ambassadors working in Moldova and representatives of trade unions and employers. The results of the consultations will be announced on July 8.