On July 17, there was inaugurated the joint Moldovan-Ukrainian state border crossing point “Cuciurgan-Pervomaisc”. In a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said the joint control at this checkpoint and in the future at other points as well is a demonstration of the good and friendly relations between Moldova and Ukraine, noting that the constitutional authorities make a clear difference between the so-called leaders from the Transnistrian region and the citizens of the Republic of Moldova who live in the region. President Petro Poroshenko said that from now on the border police of Moldova and Ukraine will work in concert to ensure the security of the two states, in the interests of both sides.

President Igor Dodon on July 18 promulgated the law on the Government reform that was adopted by Parliament in the final reading on July 7. The only political post remains that of minister. The post of deputy minister was excluded and the administrative duties at ministries will be fulfilled by secretaries of state. In the context of the reform, on July 21 the MPs adopted the new structure of the Government that consists of nine ministries, down from 16 until now, by 54 votes in favor. Of the nine ministries, five will keep their current names and duties. These are: Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration; Ministry of the Interior, and Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of Economy will take over areas from the Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Ministry of Regional Development and Construction and will be called Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure. The Ministry of Culture will combine duties of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Youth and Sport and the research area of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and will be called Ministry of Education, Culture and Research. The Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family will manage areas of activity of the Ministry of Health and will be named Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection. The Ministry of Regional Development and Construction will keep the regional development area and will take over areas of activity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the Ministry of Environment and will be named Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment.

Parliament on July 20 adopted in the final reading the bill to amend the Election Code, whereby the mixed-member electoral system is introduced instead of the party-list proportional representation system, by 74 votes in favor. The Liberal and Communist MPs didn’t take part in the vote. During the plenary sitting, two camps demonstrated in front of the Parliament Building. The Association “Faith to the Homeland” staged a demonstration in favor of the electoral system change. At the same time, representatives of a number of extraparliamentary parties protested against the change. The same day, President Igor Dodon promulgated the law to amend the Election Code. On July 21, the law was published in the Official Gazette.

The MPs on July 21 adopted a Statement on the withdrawal of the Russian troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova by 61 votes. The Socialist MPs challenged the statement, saying this will affect the relations with the Russian Federation and the Transnistrian region as it is a geopolitical challenge. They left the assembly hall in protest. The Statement was signed by the MPs of the PDM, PPEM, PLDM and PL and expresses the Parliament’s position on the continuous stay of Russian military troops in the Transnistrians region. It says that the strengthening of the presence of foreign troops on Moldova’s territory is a violation of the constitutional provisions, especially as regards the independence, sovereignty and neutrality of the state, and of the international law. The legislative body calls on the Russian Federation to complete the withdrawal of the troops and munitions from Moldova’s territory in accordance with the international law principles. It also calls upon the Government and the President to encourage by all ways possible the adoption of a resolution on the withdrawal of the illegal military forces from Moldova’s territory by the UN General Assembly.

The investigation into the case of pay parking lots that features mayor general of Chisinau municipality Dorin Chirtoaca was completed and the case was sent to court. In a press release issued on July 21, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office said Dorin Chirtoaca committed acts of passive corruption and influence peddling in an aggravated form while holding office. The mayor pleads not guilty. To exclude any influence on witnesses, the prosecutors requested the CMC to suspend the mayor from post for the period of the trial.

Romanian Premier Mihai Tudose paid a working visit to Chisinau on July 21. In a news conference held together with Prime Minister Pavel Filip, the officials announced that Chisinau in autumn will host a joint meeting of the Governments of Moldova and Romania. A number of bilateral meetings between ministers will be held until then to boost joint Moldovan–Romanian projects. Mihai Tudose took part in the ceremony to hand over 96 minibuses donated by the Government of Romania to Moldova and then had a meeting with Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu.

Selection by Sabina Rebeja