The decision by the Constitutional Court (CC) to return to the direct election of the President of the Republic of Moldova is a historical one, which will restore democracy in the country. Such an opinion was stated by a number of MPs, who said that they are ready for the election campaign and the legislature should hurry to adopt the necessary amendments so as to launch the procedures immediately after the tenure of President Nicolae Timofti expires, IPN reports.
Democratic MP Sergiu Sarbu said the Court’s decision is important. “The Democratic Party took cognizance of this decision. We will definitely obey it. I think the fact that the next head of state will be elected by the people is a positive one because the people have waited long to be able to choose themselves the President. We will thus start to prepare for the direct presidential elections that are to take place within two months of the expiration of the term in office of the incumbent Presider. This means that by May 24 we must have a President elected by the people,” he stated.
The leader of the Party of Socialists Igor Dodon said the Socialist MPs went for several times to the Constitutional Court to ask for its approval for legislative initiatives concerning the direct election of the head of state. Also, 30 days ago the Civic Forum put forward the demand to amend the Constitution so that it allows for the direct election of the head of state. “The decision to allow the people to elect the head of state is a good step taken as a result of the pressure, of protests and of collection of signatures. The people want a powerful head of state that would bring the wrongdoings to an end. We decided to consult jurists to see what laws need to be amended. We have one or two weeks to amend the legislation because the election campaign is to be announced soon. Evidently the Party of Socialists will take part in the election campaign. The PSRM has candidates, but it is the National Council that will take a decision in this regard,” he stated.
The head of the Liberal-Democratic parliamentary group Tudor Deliu said the Lib-Dems have been consistent in their actions aimed at promoting the idea of direct presidential election starting with 2009. “There were a number of initiatives that failed. Today the Court, following our challenge, declared the changes on the election of the President made in 2000 unconstitutional,” he stated, avoiding saying if their party will field a candidate for the presidency.
On March 4, the Constitutional Court decided that the amendments to the Constitution made in 2000, which allow for the election of the President of the Republic of Moldova by the votes of 3/5 of MPs, are unconstitutional. Thus, Moldova’s next President will be elected by direct, universal, freely expressed and secret vote of the people.
