Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has voiced concern over the recent legislative developments in Moldova, noting that they can affect the credibility of the country's European path, IPN reports.

“I am following the developments in Moldova with concern. In the last few days the Moldovan Parliament has amended a number of laws fundamentally affecting the political system of the country. The laws on the constitutional court, the electoral legislation, the functioning of the Government and the functioning of the law-enforcement structures have been changed, sometimes repeatedly, without proper consultations ”, says Thorbjørn Jagland in a statement published Monday, May 6.

“These amendments and the way they have been enacted risk to undermine the independence and the balance of institutions”.

According to the European official, the most recent amendments affecting the Constitutional court are of particular concern, “as the proposed provisions seem to be in contradiction with the Moldovan Constitution, as well as with European standards on constitutional justice.”

Jagland has called upon all political actors to act in a responsible manner. “The coherence and the credibility of the country's European path is at stake”, he noted.

“The Council of Europe will continue to engage with Moldova, including through its Venice Commission, in order to help the country overcome the current political difficulties”, added the CoE Secretary General in his statement.