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Alexandru Tănase: Legislation allows referendum to be held simultaneously with presidential election


https://www.ipn.md/index.php/en/alexandru-tanase-legislation-allows-referendum-to-be-held-simultaneously-with-7978_1103459.html

Moldova’s legislation allows a referendum to be held concurrently with the presidential election. The merging of two electoral exercises is also practiced in Romania, where the European Parliament and local elections will be held on the same day, said the former president of the Constitutional Court Alexandru Tănase. According to him, Moldova must give the citizens the right to pronounce on the idea of European integration. Alexandru Tănase believes that only by being part of the European Union, Moldova will benefit from security and prosperity, IPN reports.

The ex-president of the Constitutional Court noted that there are no legal impediments that would block the authorities’ attempt to hold the referendum and the presidential election on the same day. The Constitutional Court must rule on the correctness of the question that will be put in the referendum.

“Currently, the legislation of the Republic of Moldova allows this. As long as the law allows, there is a presumption of constitutionality and legality. I do not see any problem in this regard. Romania is an EU state, but, facing an avalanche of elections in a short period of time, in order not to get people to vote twice a week, it decided to merge local elections with the European Parliament elections. It is common practice. It is important that the text proposed at the referendum be well thought out, approved and verified by the Constitutional Court. If the Constitutional Court approves this text, there is no problem of legality and, moreover, of legitimacy,” Alexandru Tănase stated in the talk show “Emphasis on Today” on TVR Moldova.

He considers that parties that disagree with the idea of a referendum do so out of political rivalry. Moldova has a historic chance to become part of the free and civilized world, and every citizen must contribute, including by voting, to the country’s European integration.

“It’s people’s right to say yes or no. We cannot continue with the façade policy, declare ourselves followers of the European Union, receive funds, grants, but in reality wait for Putin. I don’t think it’s a problem if the people are allowed to vote. In the end, as it will be, so it will be. As for the voices against this referendum, it is rather a rivalry because President Sandu launched this idea without involving political parties in this process. Perhaps it would have been a better idea if the pro-European parties, together with the ruling party, launched this idea. If this referendum is launched, rivalries, grudges must be put aside and every person who wants the Republic of Moldova to enter the safe zone of the European Union will have to get involved to support this idea,” said Alexandru Tanase.

Recently, President Maia Sandu requested Parliament to start the procedures for organizing the national referendum. According to the head of state, the plebiscite will be constitutional. For more information on the referendum on the country’s accession to the EU, the citizens are urged to visit the website www.pentru.md.