The President of Moldova Igor Dodon proposed introducing the mixed electoral system according to which half of the MPs will be chosen based on party lists, while the other half by constituencies. In a news conference on April 18, the Head of State said he will not allow the uninominal voting system proposed by the Democratic Party led by Vlad Plahotniuc to be implemented in Moldova. Igor Dodon noted the mixed electoral system keeps the virtues of the proportional representation system, but favors the election of an important number of independent MPs, at district and regional levels.
Shortly afterward, the Socialist parliamentary group said it drafted a legislative initiative in support of the proposals formulated by President Igor Dodon concerning the mixed-member electoral system. The Socialists registered the bill and demanded that this should be examined in Parliament as a matter of urgency. The Democratic Party reacted to the initiative, saying it is a political trick and an attempt to prevent the introduction of the uninominal voting system and to divert society’s attention to something else so as to create confusion. It expressed its regret at the fact that the President of Moldova and the Party of Socialists, of which this formed part, didn’t consider it necessary to initiate a constructive dialogue on the issue.
On April 20, businessman Veaceslav Platon was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment and banned from holding posts in the banking system for a five-year period. He was also obliged to pay 869 million lei damages. Lawyer Eduard Rudenko said the defense will appeal the decision to the Appeals Court.
The Party “Action and Solidarity” in a news conference on April 20 presented a number of proposals for amending the current Electoral Code in the hope that MPs will register these as a legislative initiative. The party proposed extending the limit of ballots intended for polling places established for the diaspora from 3,000 to 8,000 for one place. Abroad the elections should be held during two days – on Saturday and Sunday. Also, the cap on donations that can be accepted from private individuals should be decreased from 200 to five official average salaries, while from legal entities – from 400 to 12 average salaries. Surveillance cameras should be set up inside polling places so that they do not hamper the voting process and ensure the secrecy of the vote.
On the night of April 21, the southern and central districts Moldova were struck by heavy snowfalls. The layer of snow at meteorological stations varied between 5 and 57 cm, being the thickest in Chisinau. Sections of national roads were closed, while the public transport in the capital city didn’t run for a day because of the snowy roads and blockages caused by fallen trees. The Customs Service limited the access of transfrontier traffic to a number of customs posts. Almost 600 communities were disconnected from the power supply following ruptures of conductors and damaging of insulators. About 500 persons were towed away from snowdrifts. A state of emergency was declared in Chisinau municipality. There were reported thousands of cases of tree falling in yards of apartment buildings, on balconies and annexes and on power lines. A number of persons were hurt. Over 100 electricity poles fell down. National Army soldiers helped to remedy the situation following the issuing of a relevant degree by President Igor Dodon. The Ministry of Environment requested the local public authorities to examine the drainage systems and to remove the fallen trees that obstructed the flow of water so as to prevent floods. On April 22, 400 communities were yet in blackout, but the national roads, except for portions, were passable. The public transport in Chisinau resumed work, but some of the routes were shortened.
Selection by Maria Procopciuc
