Exemption of granite for Chisinau Memorial from customs duties challenges controversial talks between communist and opposition lawmakers

The parliament approved Friday in two readings a draft law on exemption of granite articles for reconstruction of the Military Glory Memorial in Chisinau from customs duties. This draft challenged long debates in the parliament, being criticised by opposition lawmakers. The draft was proposed by a group of communist lawmakers headed by Nicolai Gutul. It calls for exemption of 1,613 square metres of granite from customs duties, which will be imported by the Moldovan organisation for the protection of rights of Slavs VECE led by Nicolai Gutul. Christian Democratic lawmaker Vlad Cubreacov described this initiative as „strange”, since parliamentarian Gutul is an interested side. Also, he noted that the voting of this draft law would create precedents since other NGOs could also seek the same facilities. The draft is susceptible of incorrectness and fraud, Cubreacov warned. The lawmaker representing the Our Moldova Alliance, Anatol Taranu, said that the exemption from customs duties will make the state budget lose approximately 700,000 lei and asked if the reconstruction of the memorial is necessary in general, since there are other problems and this money could be used for other purposes. Opposition lawmakers supported Taranu and doubted over the need of this works. Social Liberal lawmaker Igor Klipii said that such works and transactions represent a political-economic pyramid where certain economic agents perform some works, while the money is deposited in banks and it returns during electoral campaigns to finance the ruling party. Communist lawmakers supported the initiative of the group of parliamentarians. Speaker Marian Lupu interrupted the debates and opposition lawmakers criticised this action, while Cubreacov accused him of violating the regulation. Nicolae Bondarciuc, chairman of the commission for economy, budget and finances, proposed the voting of the draft in the second reading after the document was passed in the first lecture. Cubreacov and Taranu demanded a break of at least seven days in order to allow factions to formulate objections and amendments, in line with regulation. However, Lupu proposed Bondarciuc’s proposal for voting. Communist lawmakers and independents voted the draft. The budget includes 30 million lei for reconstruction of the Military Glory Memorial. The works must be completed by May 9.