Communists vote down Opposition’s proposal to postpone debate on 2008 Budget Law
The Communist MPs refused to endorse the Opposition’s proposal to postpone debates on the 2008 Budget Law until the next week so as to ensure that the debates are attended by experts and are broadcast on TV and radio.
The proposal was put forward by the MP representing the Moldova Noastra Alliance (AMN) Party, Serafim Urecheanu, who said that the draft needs a more careful examination, as well as expertise from the civil society, independent experts, representatives of various sectors, and local authorities depending on government subsidies. He also suggested that the debates on the draft should be attended by leaders of districts and cities, who can provide relevant information and brief the MPs on the financial needs of the local authorities for the next year. In addition, Urecheanu stressed the need to broadcast live the respective Parliament sitting because the Budget Law concerns everyone in Moldova as a fundamental piece of legislation for the future developments of the country in 2008.
The proposals made by Urecheanu were voted down by the majority parliamentary group of Communists.
In AMN’s opinion, this attitude shields the shallow and concealed manner of passing the budget law by the ruling party, while the unwillingness to adopt a serious and transparent approach to this law calls for tougher reactions from the democratic opposition.
Parliament is to debate the 2008 Budget Law tomorrow.