The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office on June 12 announced that it completed the investigation and sent to court the eleventh case against five former members of the Lending Committee of Banca de Economii (BEM, Savings Bank). According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the case was started over violation of lending rules that resulted in considerable damage to the bank. The prosecutors established that the former president of the Lending Committee, together with another four members of the Committee, in 2010-2011 released toxic loans to the value of 197 million lei to four companies. The five face up to seven years in jail and ban on holding particular posts or carrying our particular activities for a period of up to five years.
Former prosecutor general Valeriu Balaban on June 12 was arrested for misuse of power. Later he was placed in the remand prison of the National Anticorruption Center for a period of 30 days. A lawyer involved in the same case was also remanded in custody alongside Balaban. Two more suspects will stay under arrest for 25 days, while another two for 15 days. A businessman was set free by prospectors. The ex-prosecutor general ordered to purchase an unfinished building in Chisinau, where the Prosecutor General’s Office was to be based, at the price of 9 million lei at a time when this cost slightly over 2.5 million lei. This was acquired in the absence of a public tender contest and of the required design documentation. Later, despite the conclusions of experts, who pointed to serious faults in the purchased building, in the absence of an authorized reconstruction project and of the works assessment document, the members of the bidding group that was constituted by order of the ex-prosecutor general chose a business entity as a general contractor for executing the reconstruction works. More than 18.8 million lei was allocated from the state budget for reconstructing the building so far, but the works haven’t been yet finished.
A bill proposed by Democratic MPs to amend and supplement the Broadcasting Code was registered in Parliament on June 13. According to the authors, the bill protects the information area and sets European standards for the presentation of political information. The bill enables the TV channels to broadcast news and feature programs and programs of a military character only with reference to the EU member states, the United States, Canada and the member states of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television. President Igor Dodon the same day said the Democrats’ bill that restricts the news programs of the Russian TV channels seriously limits the freedom of expression and represents geopolitical revenge and defiance of the own people. He noted he will not promulgate such a law. The Socialist MPs also said they are against the given legislative proposal, calling it anti-popular, anti-constitutional and anti-democratic.
A Platform of the Civil Society Council under the President was launched on June 13. This consists of 13 expert commissions in charge of different areas, such as reintegration, human rights, the mass media and the diaspora. The over 100 members will advise the President on the legislative proposals submitted to him for promulgation.
The parliamentary group of the Party of Socialists on June 14 initiated a no-confidence motion against the Filip Government. This was signed by 24 Socialist MPs. Socialist MP Vlad Batrancea called on the parliamentary groups to sign the motion so that this could be debated in Parliament in the nearest future. He said the Government led by Pavel Filip, by the pursued policies, showed that it is antidemocratic, antisocial, corrupt and irresponsible.
Street vendors trading near the Central Market of Chisinau were dispersed by the police on June 15. The vendors put up resistance and threw things they could find, such as containers, chairs and even tables, at the police and carabineers. A police officer of the National Patrolling Inspectorate and two carabineers suffered injuries in the altercations and needed medical assistance. One of the attackers was later arrested.
During its plenary session on June 16, the Venice Commission adopted opinions that critically assess a draft law for Moldova’s electoral system for the election of Parliament and a proposal to expand presidential powers. Experts’ conclusions are contained in a joint opinion by the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). Following extensive public consultations with all relevant stakeholders, the joint opinion concluded that the proposed reform cannot be considered as having been adopted by broad consensus. It raises “significant concerns” including the risk that constituency members of parliament would be vulnerable to being influenced by business interests. Regarding the proposal to amend Article 85 of Moldova’s constitution, which would provide the office of the President additional powers to dissolve Parliament, the Venice Commission opinion found that it could be interpreted as creating excessive executive power to use dissolution as a tool for “party politics,” under the current parliamentary regime. Also, the draft law would open the way to institutional conflicts.
The Democratic Party of Moldova will plead for the modification of the electoral system of Moldova in proper accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, the party said in a press statement issued after the June 16 meeting of the Commission. According to the statement, the PDM considers the members of the Venice Commission did important work in a short term and this will help the party to adjust the draft law to change Moldova’s electoral system in accordance with the international electoral standards.
Selection by Maria Procopciuc
