Members of the Electoral Bloc “European People’s Platform of Moldova - Iurie Leanca” (PPEM) accuses the government of intending to distort the people’s vote by imposing a special legal framework on the municipality of Chisinau and Balti by which to limit the powers of the elected mayors because the ruling parties have no chance to occupy executive posts in the two municipalities, IPN reports.
In a press briefing, the PPEM’s candidate for the mayoralty of Chisinau Oazu Nantoi said the minority government at the beginning of March created two commissions for drafting bills on the legal statuses of the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti. Afterward, the working term of these commissions was extended until June 30, exactly after a possible second round of voting in the local elections. “We consider this is an absolutely undemocratic practice and Chisinau municipality risks becoming hostage of the absolutely undemocratic behavior of the government,” stated Oazu Nantoi.
MP Eugen Carpov said the ruling parties’ intention to adopt a law that will match the result they will achieve in the local elections is evident. As unaffiliated lawmakers, Eugen Carpov and Iurie Leanca will put forward a legislative initiative designed to increase the authority of the mayor general of Chisinau. The bill will be presented this week and will be then proposed for public debates. It is suggested that the mayor should be an ex officio member of the Government and that the mayor’s capacity to manage the local problems, to collect taxes and impose fines should be enhanced.
The bill is to take effect in 2019, after the next local elections, so that the preparations for the elections are based on well-defined rules.
