Power-sharing deal still eludes non-communist parties after 10th round of talks

The Liberal Party (PL) wishes to take one of the law-enforcement agencies. “This is what it means to have a lever when you are in government”, stated Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu after the tenth round of tripartite talks on a center-right coalition on Monday night. Lib-Dem leader Vlad Filat, for his part, said that none of the parties was in a position to put forward conditions and that after this round it was finally discovered which factor was blocking the signing of an agreement, Info-Prim Neo reports. Mihai Ghimpu told reporters that hopefully the alliance would be formed by the start of the first session of Parliament on Tuesday, December 28, but it shouldn't be established “at any cost”. “If it is for us to participate in government, then we think we should have one of the law-enforcement agencies, since there is so much corruption and the law doesn't work”, said Ghimpu. According to the offer made by Filat's party, the Liberal-Democrats should have 7 members in the future Cabinet, plus the position of Prime Minister. The PL and the Democratic Party (PDM) would each have 5 ministers, plus the posts of Speaker and President, respectively. “As a Prime Minister, I won't enter the Cabinet with my hands tied”, said Filat, suggesting he wanted the Interiors Ministry for his party. PDM president Marian Lupu told reporters that today's talks were complicated and probably not final. “Our colleagues from the PL put forward certain conditions which have to do with leverages in the context of the power-sharing process. The dialogue, in my opinion, should continue in a constructive manner, and we shall see”, said Marian Lupu. On Tuesday, December 28, the newly-elected Parliament will hold its inaugural meeting, which is expected to produce a Speaker. If the potential coalition partners fail to reach an agreement as to the sharing of responsibilities within the future alliance, a break from the meeting is likely to be announced.