Representatives of AEI go to Strasbourg to consult with Venice Commission president

Moldova's Acting President Mihai Ghimpu, Minister of Justice Alexandru Tanase and MPs Aurel Baiesu and Ion Plesca will have a meeting with Gianni Buquicchio in Strasbourg on May 5. The representatives of the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) will consult with the president of the Venice Commission on how to overcome the legal problems faced by Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. In PRO TV Chisinau's program “In Profunzime” on May 3, Mihai Ghimpu said the representatives of the AEI and Gianni Buquicchio will discuss the two bills to amend article 78 of the Constitution of Moldova, which describes the procedure for electing the head of state. The bills were formulated by the Communists Party, which says the President should be elected in Parliament, and by the AEI, which considers that the head of state should be elected directly by the people. “We must decide what to do next. We cannot hold early elections without modifying the existing framework,” said Mihai Ghimpu. The PCRM insists that article 78 of the Constitution should be amended after the dissolution of the Parliament and holding of early legislative elections, while the AEI could hold a referendum on the modification of article 78. 'The best variant is for the current legislative body to elect the President and then to hold parliamentary ad presidential elections separately,” Mihai Ghimpu said. The president of the Democratic Party Marian Lupu said it is a risk to announce early elections without introducing the necessary legislative amendments. “I don't think we should do such experiments. We should wait for the results of the discussion that will be held in Strasbourg,” said Vlad Filat. Mihai Ghimpu stressed it is important that the four representatives of the AEI have a common position before the Venice Commission. The Moldovan delegation leaves for Strasbourg on Tuesday afternoon and will return tomorrow.