The Party “Action and Solidarity” (PAS) and the Political Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” (PPPDA) request the administration of the public TV channel Moldova 1 to offer the opposition one hour of airtime a week on the channel. If an answer is not provided by September 22 or a negative answer comes, the two parties reserve the right to resume the protests on September 24.
In a news conference at IPN, PAS leader Maia Sandu said the requests to de-monopolize the media market and to transform the public television company into an authentic one can be found in the resolution that was adopted during the September 17 protest. Another desideratum stipulated in the resolution is to annul the mixed electoral system introduced by the vote of the Democratic Party and the Party of Socialists despite the Venice Commission’s recommendations and the disagreement expressed in many protests, including by civil society. The protesters also requested to publish the second Kroll report, which, according to the PAS leader, is ready, but the government is trying to hide it for particular reasons. The resolution also calls on the foreign partners, especially the Council of the EU, to impose penalties on Vlad Plahotniuc and Igor Dodon for the committed abuses and human rights violations. Maia Sandu said that before the protest, police officers went to education institutions and inquired what the young people will do on September 17 and reminded them of the April 7, 2009 events, saying the upcoming protest could end in the same way.
PPPDA leader Andrei Nastase said the government created numerous impediments to them before the protest. Public transport routes were suspended, persons were intimidated, etc. However, despite the obstacles, they managed to mount a peaceful protest. The initiative group that organized the event was followed throughout the week. Several dozen speakers that were to be used in the protest were seized.
Andrei Nastase noted that the police officers didn’t know to react with dignity when the protesters reached the national public broadcaster and at least two persons suffered because of the fired teargas and ambulances were called. The controlled TV channels broadcast news items about a person who entered the crowd with a minibus. But the protesters actually formed a corridor to allow the vehicle with speakers and other equipment to leave the area. By putting the protesters in a bad light, the government tried to obtain political benefits.
The representatives of the two parties said the resolution will be presented to all the development partners.
