MEPs representing different political parties call on the government of Moldova to abandon the intention to change the electoral system. In a letter addressed to President Igor Dodon, Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu, 25 members of the European Parliament express their concern about the latest developments in the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports, with reference to Radio Free Europe’s website. 

The letter makes reference to the Venice Commission’s opinion, which says the replacement of the current party-list proportional representation system with the mixed-member one implies a number of risks, such as the influencing of MP election by third persons who pursue their own goals. “We would like to remind you that Moldova needs to take immediate steps to ensure transparent and legal funding of political parties and of election campaigns to stop corruption groups from capturing power,” reads the letter of the 25 MPs.

On a social networking site, Moldova’s President Igor Dodon commented on the letter. He said the external pressure is counterproductive. The presidential office and the parliamentary group of the Socialists are firm in their position and will continue to promote the bill to introduce the mixed-member electoral system. “If we do not garner support for our bill in the second reading, we will win the 2018 parliamentary elections based on the current system and will then make sure that the mixed-member electoral system is approved for the next elections,” wrote Igor Dodon. According to the President, the mixed-member system will ensure greater resistance to different external influences and ideologies that affect the Moldovan statehood and identity.