Moldova's President could be elected for interim period, Vlad Lupan

Political analyst Vlad Lupan considers that the President of Moldova might be elected by the Parliament for an interim period, including for a whole term, if the Opposition and the government coalition decide how to modify the procedure for electing the head of state described in the Constitution. Vlad Lupan told Info-Prim Neo that this solution will take the country out of the political crisis for a period. The legislation does not envision such a solution, but, according to Vlad Lupan, this possibility can be taken into account by the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) and the Communists Party (PCRM). Vlad Lupan is skeptical that a compromise can be reached over the amendment of article 78 of the Constitution until the dissolution of Parliament, as the Venice Commission recommends. “The answer of the Venice Commission is very clear. It was a call for the AEI and the PCRM to solve the problem in Parliament,” the analyst said. Speaking about the date of the early elections, Vlad Lupan said it will be interpreted politically and the given issue will be a bone of contention between the AEI and the PCRM. The analyst considers that a referendum where the people could say how they want the head of state to be elected will be useful. He said the Electoral Code should be modified so that it allows holding binding referendums, not only consultative ones.