Government of Moldova against celebrating Christmas on December 25

The government rejected, on Wednesday, June 14, the legislative initiative of a group of MPs declaring December 25 as holiday. One reasons presented by the members of the executive says that there at the State Service on Cults are registered 21 cults and religious organizations, but the most numerous is the Metropolitan Church of Moldova, having about 1,257 religious communities. According to them, it results that the biggest part of the country’s population is of Christian-Orthodox confession (about 93%) and celebrates the religious holidays according to the Julian calendar. According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Valeriu Lazar, „it is premature to take any decision on this very sensible item”. In his opinion, the proposed changes might be discussed after a survey is made on adopting the new style. On the other hand, the deputies Oleg Serebrian, Valentina Golban and Igor Klipii mentioned, in the initiative addressed to the government, that in Moldova, Christmas is celebrated according to the new style, on December 25, as well as to the old style, on January 7. The Labour Code stipulates as holidays only January 7-8, thing that, in their opinion, is not fair. This draft bill, according to deputies, will ensure the respect of the right to the rest of the citizens of Moldova, who celebrate Christmas on December 25. The deputies also proposed to align Moldova with the calendar of public holidays of the member states of the European Union.