Communist Party takes precautionary measure ahead of presidential vote

The Communist lawmakers on Thursday signed a “political commitment” vowing to use their MP's mandate and position “exclusively in the interest of the people of Moldova and in strict conformity with the collective decisions of the Communist Party”, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I pledge not to forget that the vote of the Communist Party's faction and my personal vote must always represent a common position; not to forget that the violation of this commitment represents the most severe moral crime against the interests of the Communist Party, against thousands of supporters, who authorized me to act on their behalf”, the Communist lawmakers vowed. Asked by Info-Prim Neo to comment on the move, political pundit Anatol Taranu said it was intended to introduce an additional dose of discipline within the parliamentary faction of the party ahead of the presidential election. “In all probability this demonstrates that the leadership (of the party) doesn't trust some of the faction's members and is therefore trying to take further steps to keep them under control”, said Taranu. On Wednesday, the Board of the ruling Alliance for European Integration decided to start negotiations with the Communist Party in a bid to secure the missing votes needed for the election of AEI's presidential candidate, Democrat leader Marian Lupu. Earlier, Communist leader Vladimir Voronin, as well as other top members, stated that they are open for dialog with other parties, but will not vote under no circumstances to elect Marian Lupu as President.