Lib-Dems call for extraordinary parliamentary session

The Moldovan Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM) started collecting signatures from one third of the MPs in order to summon the Parliament for an extraordinary sitting, in connection with the situation caused by the halt in gas supply by the Russian concern Gazprom, Info-Prim Neo reports. PLDM proposes that the sitting should take place between January 15 and 23. The party thinks that within this period, the legislative body should hear the Government’s report on the situation created in the country as the result of the energy crisis and the implemented measures for the alleviation of these consequences. PLDM also believes that the Parliament and the Government should create a joint commission which would act on diminishing the effects of the crisis. Another measure proposed by the party is the amendment of the state budget for 2009 for the purpose of allocating the finances needed for the resolution of the crisis situation and the aid for the socially vulnerable categories. “We believe it is absolutely necessary that the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova take action and participate in the resolution of the problems which badly affect the citizens of Moldova ...”, PLDM leader Vlad Filat told a press conference on Monday. The PLDM leader was the first to sign the initiative and is yet to persuade the leaders of other factions and the unaffiliated MPs in order to collect the required number of 34 signatures. Earlier, PLDM demaned that Chairman Marian Lupu summon the Parliament for an extraordinary session, but the request was ignored. “I don’t understand this stubbornness. Is there something to hide? For me, for instance, the question where Moldova takes its gas supplies from at the moment is an important issue. Nobody knows what the situation is and what will happen in the near future”, Vlad Filat said. According to Moldova’s Constitution, the Parliament assembles for ordinary or special sessions at the request of the President of Moldova, the Chairman or one third of the MPs. The autumn session of the legislative body ended on December 26. As it was announced, the MPs will end their vacation in the middle of January and the sittings will be resumed at the beginning of February.