Initiative to amend Article 78 will help overcome political crisis. Info-Prim Neo interview with Democrat MP Igor Corman

[– Now that the parliamentary session is over, please enumerate the best results achieved by the legislative body in the period and explain how they were possible?] – This period had been dominated by discussions on how to overcome the political crisis. They involved all the politicians and lawmakers. We consider that our initiative to amend Article 78 of the Constitution is the best solution for unlocking the political crisis. In the previous election campaign, the PDM also promoted the idea of direct election of the head of state, not knowing what is expecting us. Now we think that this is the best solution. Important steps were taken to achieve the European integration objectives. Almost all the laws adopted in the Parliament were compliant with the EU legislation. We joined the Energy Community Treaty and implemented many other projects important for Moldova’s economy. The PDM had permanently pleaded for ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and we are glad that it was ultimately ratified. The Democratic Party proposed many legislative initiatives, including the bill to reduce the coefficient for calculating pensions for dignitaries and ministers from 75% to 43% of the salary. We had been accused of populism, but we stated that even if we are not able to increase the revenues into the state budget and radically change the situation of the pensioners, it was our moral duty to show that we are ready to change at least something, until the entire pension system is reformed. Another important achievement to which the PDM contributed directly is the creation of a free enterprise zone in the municipality of Balti. We have an investor there and 2,500 workplaces. More investors will come and the number of workplaces will increase to over 5,000. We also proposed introducing meal tickets, reducing the taxes on notary services, etc. Even if it was a short period, we all worked and achieved results. [– What were the failures of the Parliament in the spring-summer session of 2010] – I cannot say that we had failures. We had dissenting opinions inside the Alliance for European Integration. The Parliament’s decision in the case of Ion Muruianu was clearly a political one. Some of the colleagues insisted that Muruianu be dismissed and that was a political vote. As to the reform in the legal system, we have yet a lot to do. But I cannot say it is a failure. We did not back the idea of founding an agency that will deal with the problems of the Moldovan diaspora as we do not think that an agency with several employees can solve the problems faced by the diaspora. This is the task of the Government and a number of ministries. Another controversial issue was the liquidation of the economic courts. What will we do with the thousands of cases accumulated? We know that the system is corrupt, but before liquidating something we must plan what to build instead. In general, the political life was marked by instability. [– Does the Alliance for European Integration exist? What mechanisms for coordinating the Alliance do its components have now that the parliamentary session closed?] – The Alliance exists. The idea to hold the credendum is backed by all the components of the AEI and we will jointly go to the September 5 referendum. The Alliance decided to create a council that will coordinate all the activities related to the referendum. [– Why do the components of the AEI attack each other more harshly lately? Did the election campaign start?] – The opinions have always differed, either on May 9 or June 28. This shows in fact that there is a great diversity of opinion inside the Alliance and this is normal. We are four different parties and we have different stances, especially on sensitive issues. I would not yet say that the components of the Alliance attack each other.