AMN calls for Voronin’s impeachment over controversial statements

The Moldova Noastra Alliance’s parliamentary faction called on all opposition MPs to join it in initiating impeachment proceedings against President Vladimir Voronin under Article 89 of the Constitution if the head of state doesn’t tender his resignation himself. As the proposal made by AMN deputy Leonid Bujor was not even put to a vote, the faction and some unaffiliated MPs left the sitting hall. Bujor requested the Parliament to summon Vladimir Voronin to give explanations about his statements made at a press conference on Wednesday, which, according to Bujor, insulted the national symbols. Bujor added that the President’s statements are part of a boarder range of actions by which Voronin tries to subordinate the governmental institutions to the ideology of the Communist Party, with his recent directive to substitute the Romanian language course in schools serving as a relevant example. The President’s statements sparked harsh reactions among other opposition MPs as well. In particular, Vitalia Pavlicenco requested that an independent expert commission be created to check the President’s health condition. Vladimir Filat said the Parliament should take a stance against the President’s aggressive statements concerning the national symbols. Vladimir Voronin was eagerly defended by his party colleagues. Vadim Misin told the opposition MPs to mind their language, and added “offending the President is showing lack of manners and disrespect for your own country”. When Voronin spoke about the national symbols, he didn’t say they must be changed, he only said they must represent this state, Misin explained. The verbal battle lasted for more than half an hour, and when it ended Speaker Marian Lupu refused to put to a vote the proposals of the opposition. Vladimir Voronin stated on Wednesday that “the Moldovan language, the Moldovan history and the Moldovan anthem must all correspond to Moldova’s integrity and sovereignty”, adding that the national coat of arms was proposed “through the backdoor, because initially there was another version prepared, but it was changed in the middle of the night”. Article 89 of the Constitution says “in the event the President of the Republic of Moldova commits serious offences infringing upon constitutional provisions he may be suspended from office by the vote of two thirds elected deputies in Parliament.”