Constitutional Court asked to interpret article concerning President’s term in office

The head of the parliamentary commission for appointments and immunities Ion Plesca requested the Constitutional Court to interpret Article 80 of the Constitution, which says that a person who held the post of President two consecutive terms can no more run for the post. Ion Plesca told Info-Prim Neo the move is aimed at preventing different interpretations after the constitutional referendum. “Some of the electoral contenders do no know the Constitution and sometimes misinterpret some of the articles. Thus, I asked the Court to pronounce so that all the participants in the campaign for the referendum know what that article says,” Ion Plesca stressed. The MP is convinced that the person who held two consecutive offices cannot apply for presidency anymore, regardless of the method of electing the head of state – in Parliament to by direct popular vote. The Communist lawmakers repeatedly said the former head of state Vladimir Voronin could run for a new term in office as the post held by Mihai Ghimpu on an interim basis represents an interruption between the second and a possible third term. Ion Plesca specified that Mihai Ghimpu holds the position of head of state without being sworn into office. Sources in the Constitutional Court told the Agency that Ion Plesca’s application was filed on July 16, but it is not yet known when it will be examined and who will be the judge-rapporteur. The president of the Constitutional Court Dumitru Pulbere said recently that under the Constitution, no person can hold more than two offices as President and there is not need for interpretation, but, if asked, the judges will pronounce on this case. He also said that the post of President held on an interim basis is not identical to that held permanently.