The stopping by the Chisinau City Hall of the works to demolish the Gaudeamus Cinema give hope that this building will not be ultimately destroyed. Also, a moratorium should be introduced on the construction of large buildings in Chisinau municipality, said participants in the talk show “Politics of Natalia Morari” that is produced by TV8 channel, IPN reports.

Deputy chairman of the Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” Alexandru Slusari said he hopes a joint commission will be set up this week and this will consist primarily of civic activists, the City Hall’s representative and the representative of the building’s owner. “If they do not manage to save the Cinema, they should at least not allow erecting a 15-story building instead of this. Nothing should be built in that area,” stated Alexandru Slusari.

Civic activist Vitalii Voznoi said a moratorium on large constructions, especially near transport networks, should be introduced until all the procedures are made clearer. Furthermore, a standing working group should exist to monitor any conflict situation. “This should include permanent representatives of the City Hall, the Chisinau Municipal Council and civil society and builders and residents in separate situations,” he noted.

Civic activist Vitalie Sprinceana stated the order to suspend the demolition of the Gaudeamus Cinema could mean hope that this will not be completely destroyed. Schemes are employed to make public property private property and the owners then use the property as they want. “Furthermore, I’m concerned about the non-transparent procedures by which this is done,” said Vitalie Sprinceana.

Socialist municipal councilor Alexandru Odintsov said three demolition authorizations existed for this building. There is now a legislative vacuum as regards the constructions. But there are also the basic rights – the owner can do what this wants on the privatized plot in accordance with the regulations and the law. “In this case, if the building is privately owned and the plot on which this was erected hadn’t been privatized, but only leased out , the owner would have faced difficulties as the lease basis would have disappeared. But the plot was privatized in 2010 and the owner is free to do what he wants,” stated the councilor.

The works to demolish the building of the Gaudeamus Cinema were stopped in the morning of June 11 following an order to this effect signed by deputy mayor of Chisinau Nistor Grozavu. The decision was taken after a group of dissatisfied people staged protests and after elected mayor of Chisinau Andrei Nastase filed an interpellation.