Mihai Ghimpu urges Filat and Plahotniuc to leave politics

The Liberal Party head Mihai Ghimpu called on the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Vlad Filat and first deputy chairman of the Democratic Party Vlad Plahotniuc to leave politics together. He made the suggestion after the PLDM withdrew from the agreement on the formation of the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), with Vlad Filat saying that persons like Vlad Plahotniuc should leave politics, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a press briefing on February 14, Mihai Ghimpu said that the Liberal Party does not renounce the national cause and the agreement on the formation of the AEI that was signed in 2010. Moreover, the PL considers that Moldova does not need early legislative elections. According to Mihai Ghimpu, the fight between Vlad Filat and Vlad Plahotniuc escalates the situation in the AEI and pushes the country towards early elections. “The AEI belongs not to the political leaders, but to the people. The AEI means not only European integration, but also political freedom. Without this political option, we will be condemned to poverty and will be abandoned by the European partners,” he stated. He also said it is strange that Vlad Filat denounced the AEI agreement, but remains Prime Minister. “The AEI means parliamentary majority. A Government must enjoy the support of a majority. The PL considers that they both (Filat and Plahotniuc, e.n.) should leave politics. We should not be forced to elect between the AEI agreement and one of them,” said the politician. Mihai Ghimpu stressed that the agreement on the formation of the AEI was signed by three leaders and Vlad Filat should have submitted a written declaration about the withdrawal, not make statements for the press. “The PL suggests that the Prime Minister should withdraw the statements made on February 13 because they are immature from political viewpoint. Also, the PLDM and PDM should bring the war and the public criticism to an end as this can lead to early elections,” he stated. He also said that he approves of President Nicolae Timofti’s initiative to meet each of the leaders of the AEI to hold discussions, but the bilateral meetings are not very productive. Thus, there should be convened all the leaders together with the development partners – EU Ambassador Dirk Schuebel, and U.S. Ambassador William Moser. On February 13, Vlad Filat announced that the PLDM withdrew from the AEI agreement and is ready to negotiate a new accord that will exclude the oligarchic principles.