Vlad Filat: Efforts to modify Constitution should be supported by foreign partners

The referendum on the modification of the Constitution will be held only if this initiative is supported by Moldova's foreign partners, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said on March 10. "The idea (of modifying the Constitution – e.n.) will be developed in stages. These stages are very important as the success of the initiative depends on them. There will be drafted a bill to amend the Constitution that will be examined first by the Venice Commission. Afterward, we will formulate modifications to a number of laws regulating the elections. They will have to be approved by the Council of Europe. Surely, these efforts should be supported by the foreign partners. A referendum will be held only under such circumstances” said Vlad Filat, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. "I want to assure you that all our actions will be based on the law,” the Premier said. He stated that not the entire Constitution will be modified, only a number of articles. Asked why the Communists were not invited to the meeting where the ruling coalition decided that a new Constitution will be adopted by referendum, Vlad Filat said they had been invited and the invitation remains open, but the efforts will be concentrated on informing and convincing the people to take part in the referendum. On March 9, the leaders of the Alliance for European Integration said the referendum on the modification of the Constitution should be held by June 16 so as to avoid early legislative elections. For the referendum to be considered valid, the voter turnout should be 50% plus one of the people eligible to vote.