Moldovan MPs plead for parliamentary system that would allow them to show interest in affairs

The Moldovan MPs opt in favour of a framework that would allow them to show interest in extra parliamentary affairs, but on condition that there are certain well-defined rules to avoid the potential conflicts of interest. According to a survey carried out by the International Association of Business and Parliament (IABP Moldova), 70% of surveyed MPs share this opinion. According to the study’s results, which were made public on Tuesday, March 27, 65% of the interviewed MPs find the idea of a parliamentary system that would not see interest in business as non attractive. 2/3 of the MPs consider the public information and civic education Programmes, in the process of the consolidation of Parliament’s credibility, as important or very important. In this respect, the parliamentarians also find the increased transparency of the parliamentary processes and the public’s and concerned groups’ active participation in them as important. The most important barriers in the way to efficiently fulfilling the MPs’ obligations are: the lack of information technologies (24% of the MPs share this opinion) and the lack of available means of transport and buildings intended for meetings with the electorate (24%). Another part of MPs (23%) mentioned the lack of councillors. 78% of the surveyed MPs would prefer to be trained as regards the organisation of the legislative process. Another 72% assert that they need improvement in the ability to speak in public. The questionnaire was sent to 95 MPs, while the rate of respondents is set at 34%. The International Association of Business and Parliament is a non-profit, politically unaffiliated and non-lobbying organisation, which promotes an international protocol for establishing relations between the leaders of business and parliamentary circles. IABP has been operating in Moldova since October 2005.