On March 13, Democratic MPs registered in Parliament a legislative initiative that envisions the introduction of a uninominal voting system instead of the current party-list proportional representation system for legislative elections. The bill provides that there will be created 101 constituencies and by one MP will be elected in each constituency.
The Socialist councilors of the Chisinau Municipal Council on March 14 announced that they are initiating a referendum on the dismissal of Dorin Chirtoaca from the post of mayor of Chisinau. These said that the city now chokes because of ignorance, incompetence and indifference. In reaction, the mayor said the Socialists’ initiative lacks content and the Socialist councilors actually try to hide their own incompetence.
On March 15, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Eduard Grama was arrested on corruption charges. He is suspected of taking bribe for contributing to the transfer of 9.9 hectares of land belonging to the Chisinau College of Winegrowing and Winemaking to a business entity based in Stauceni. The next day, prosecutors issued the indictment. The minister received medical care after he complained about health problems during questioning. Given the operation on heart that he underwent earlier, doctors decided that Grama should have some additional medical examinations. It was decided that the minister will remain under medical supervising in a specialized institution. Eduard Grama submitted an application to the Prime Minister, whereby he announces his intention to resign as minister. On March 16, the court decided that Eduard Grama will be placed under arrest for 30 days.
On March 15, the Penal Board of the Supreme Court of Justice declared admissible the appeal in the case that concerns Ion Rusu and SRL Caravita Co. By their appeal, the lawyers ask to retry the case, to pass a new judgment and to order to put Ion Rusu, who was earlier sentenced to five years in jail, on probation. The hearing where the Supreme Court of Justice will examine lawyers’ requests will be held on April 6, 2017, in the absence of the parties.
On March 16, the 34th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council approved Moldova’s report on the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The document envisions the strengthening of Moldova’s capacities to protect the human rights and ensure the rights of children, national minorities and persons with disabilities. Moldova will also have to regulate the labor relations of migrant citizens by becoming a party to particular international instruments. Elimination of torture and ill treatment, improvement of detention conditions, access to justice and eradication of corruption are among the essential elements of the report. Also, Moldova should more intensely promote, at national level, the gender equality and anti-discrimination policies and eliminate domestic violence. The Ministry of Justice said all the UPR recommendations and observations concerning Moldova, formulated by the CoE and UN monitoring bodies, will be included in the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2017-2020 (NHRAP III).
On March 16-18, President Igor Dodon paid a working visit to the Russian Federation. On March 17, the Head of State had a meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, where he asked to extend the period of migration amnesty for Moldovans after March 20. He also suggested examining the opportunity of signing an agreement on double nationality so that the Moldovans who live in Russia on a permanent basis do not have to renounce the Moldovan nationality. While in Moscow, Igor Dodon also took part in a forum of Moldovan and Russian businesspeople.
The National Agency for Energy Regulation on March 17 decided that the price of electric power supplied by Gas Natural Fenosa will be increased by 3.6% on average as of April 1. Domestic end-users connected to low voltage power lines from April 1 will pay 1.99 lei per kWh for the electricity supplied by Gas Natural Fenosa, by 0.07 lei more than now. The end-users connected to average voltage lines will pay a tariff of 2.82 lei, up 0.11 lei, while those connected to high voltage lines 1.53 lei, an increase of 0.08 lei. The power supplied by RED-Nord will cost 2.12 lei per kWh, up 4%, while that supplied by RED Nord-Vest will cost 2.25 lei per kWh. Also, the price of a gigacalorie of heat was raised from 1,068 lei to 1,122 lei.
Selection by Elena Nistor, IPN
