State will no longer pay wages to electoral candidates

Candidates in elections will no longer receive average wages, when they choose to suspend their duties during the electoral campaign. On Friday, March 23, Parliament amended the Electoral Code in this regard. The recent version of the Electoral Code stipulates that the Central Election Committee shall pay from the allotted funds, during the temporary discharge, the average wage of the candidates. Mihai Pop, the Minister of Finances stated that the implementation of these provisions, included in the Code in 2005, would require expenses of about MDL 340 mln, a sum which hasn’t been provided in the budget. In contrast, several opposition MPs stated that the amendments will create unequal conditions for candidates. Some of them will have the possibility to run in the campaign without suspending their duties, and thus will enjoy their salaries, while others will have to suspend their duties. Some legislators suggested the compulsory suspension of office for all the candidates, but the proposal was rejected. This year general local elections will be held on June 3.