The Venice Commission has delivered its final opinion on the so-called de-oligarchization bill proposed in our country, even if in the meantime the Moldovan authorities decided, following consultations at the national level, to abandon it and pursue a different systemic approach.

In its opinion, the Venice Commission notes that Most countries have put in place a set of interconnected measures to prevent the disruptive effects on democracy, the rule of law and human rights brought on by the concentration of influence in the hands of oligarchs. Such measures, for example, include an effective competition policy, anti-corruption and anti-money-laundering measures, measures to ensure media pluralism, rules on the financing of political parties and election campaigns, etc.

In this context, the Venice Commission welcomes the decision of the Moldovan authorities to abandon the draft law and shift the focus to the systemic approach, starting with a coordinated multi-agency work in developing the National Action Plan for de-oligarchization. The Plan aims at conducting gaps analysis, consolidating legislative and institutional frameworks, increasing reporting and raising awareness in a number of areas such as public property management; anti-money laundering and anti-monopoly measures; transparency of beneficial ownership; efficiency of asset recovery in the context of already imposed international sanctions; better risk-management in banking and insurance sectors and improved transparency of political party financing. The Action Plan also foresees a monitoring mechanism to consolidate input from various agencies and ensure their good cooperation and coordination. The Action Plan will be reviewed and, eventually, adjusted every six months.

In concluding its opinion, the Venice Commission highlighted the importance of relentlessly pursuing the reform of the judicial system aimed at ensuring its independence, integrity and impartiality in line with the European standards.