The president of the Constitutional Court Vladimir Țurcan said the opinions that appeared in the public sphere as to the phone call he received from President Igor Dodon are absolutely unfounded interpretations that are political in character.

In a press briefing, Vladimir Țurcan explained that the Constitutional Court on April 9 examined the challenge filed by MP Dinu Plîngău, who asked to suspend provisions of Law No.56 of April 2, 2020 that was adopted by the Government by bypassing Parliament. The law enables to take measures to support the citizens and entrepreneurial activities during the state of emergency. In the afternoon, the whole law was suspended, not only some of its provisions, with a majority of votes, which is by the votes of four of the six judges.

The same day, he was contacted by President Igor Dodon, who asked him about the legal consequences of the decision. “In the difficult conditions of the state of emergency declared in the country, I perceived this phone call as a necessity of the President to get first-hand information,” stated Vladimir Țurcan. He noted he explained that until it is examined by the CC, Law No. 56 is suspended and cannot be implemented.

He also said he told Igor Dodon that the examination of all challenges that are in the CC’s agenda on the same issue was scheduled for April 13, twelve noon. “There were no other discussions as to who and how voted,” stated Vladimir Țurcan.

He noted that to eliminate any suspicion or allusions as to the independence and impartiality of the CC, he decided not to take part in the examination and his decision was accepted.

Civil society organizations criticized the discussing by Moldova’s President of a case examined by the Constitutional Court with the head of the Court. In a public appeal, the NGOs express their concern about the fact that the Court’s head tried to justify himself before the President and stated his opinion on the examined case before the passing of the CC judgment. According to the signatories, such a behavior seriously spoils the Constitutional Court’s image. The NGOs request the CC to adopt a decision about the given situation and to adopt measures to prevent such cases in the future. They also request President Igor Dodon to stop interfering in the CC’s work.