During its plenary session on June 16, the Venice Commission adopted opinions that critically assess a draft law for Moldova’s electoral system for the election of Parliament and a proposal to expand presidential powers. Experts’ conclusions are contained in a joint opinion by the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), IPN reports, quoting a press release.

Following extensive public consultations with all relevant stakeholders, the joint opinion concluded that the proposed reform cannot be considered as having been adopted by broad consensus. It raises “significant concerns” including the risk that constituency members of parliament would be vulnerable to being influenced by business interests.

Other concerns in the opinion include the fact that detailed and comprehensive criteria for the establishment of constituencies for Transnistria and for citizens abroad are not stipulated, and proposed changes are unlikely to enhance the representation of women and minorities in the Parliament.

Regarding the proposal to amend Article 85 of Moldova’s constitution, which would provide the office of the President additional powers to dissolve Parliament, the Venice Commission opinion found that it could be interpreted as creating excessive executive power to use dissolution as a tool for “party politics,” under the current parliamentary regime. Also, the draft law would open the way to institutional conflicts.

Both opinions on Moldova as adopted by the Venice Commission will be made available in their entirety by Monday 19 June.