Opinion leaders comment differently on decision to remove post of CMC chairman

Political analysts have dissenting opinions about the Parliament’s decision to abolish the office of permanent chairman of the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC). Some of them consider the move was aimed at concentrating power in the hands of one person at the City Hall, which is against the European norms. Others say it is a necessity imposed by the behavior of the Communists, Info-Prim Neo reports. Analyst Anatol Taranu believes it is an attempt by the democratic forces to overcome possible impasses in the CMC as the Communists the previous years used all the ways possible to block the mayor’s work. “This decision is designed to minimize the effects of Communists’ blockages,” said the expert, adding yet that it is not right to change the rules of the game during the game. However, he added the decision was needed in order to make sure that the City Hall works normally. Political analyst Bogdan Tardea said the decision was anti-European. The post of permanent CMC chairman was instituted under the recommendation of the Venice Commission. According to him, the reasons for which the legislative body abolished this position are clear. “The Communists have a majority of seats on the CMC. This fact bothers the Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu, who wanted to prevent the Communists from having control over the City Hall. Thus, Mister Chirtoaca got rid of a permanent rival who would have been an important ‘counterbalance’ at the City Hall on the other hand and would have concentrated all the power at the City Hall in his own hands on the other hand,” said Bogdan Tardea. He considers that it is not right to amend the law every time the political situation changes. Analyst Viorel Cibotaru said it is a historical problem. “The post was instituted in a certain context to ensure balance in a council where the Communist Party had a majority of seats and the mayor represented another party. The attempt to give more powers to the CMC chairman caused a conflict situation,” the expert explained. “We will see how effective this decision will be. From legislative viewpoint, not much has changed as the chairman did not have many powers.” The legislative body abolished the post of permanent president of the CMC by a majority of votes on July 7. The Communist Party said they will challenge the decision in the Constitutional Court.