OP LEADER CALLS ALL PARTIES TO SACRIFICE THEIR BUDGET SUBSIDIES FOR COMBATING COVID-19

Renato Usatii, leader of the Partidul Nostru (Our Party, OP) and the Mayor of Moldova’s second largest city of Balti, has called on all Moldovan political forces to sacrifice all the money, due to be supplied to them from the State Budget, for struggle against the coronavirus disease.

In his video address to compatriots in social networks, Usatii said that not long before, such idea was put forth by political scientist Valeriu Ostalep, Moldova’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

“It is a very good idea – to invest in the anti-virus the 38 million lei stipulated in the 2020 State Budget as subsidies for political parties. As Chairman of one such organization, Our Party, I call on the country leadership to take this 38 million lei from all political parties and to use the money for the struggle against the pandemic”, said Renato Usatii.

According to the legislation in force, political parties in Moldova receive funding from the State Budget depending on the number of ballots each party has polled at parliamentary and local elections and at the latest presidential election. Thus, in 2020 the biggest sum of all is to be received by the Party of Socialists – 12.3 million lei, followed by the Democratic Party – 7.3 million lei, then the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) – 6.5 million lei, the DA Platform – 4.3 million lei, the Ilan Shor Party – 2.9 million lei, and Our Party – 1.4 million lei.

Renato Usatii suggested using this money for purchasing about 150 lungs ventilation machines, 1.5-2 million protective masks, shoe covers, disinfectants, and to pay for the delivery of these means to Moldova.

“If other parties disagree to sacrifice the public donations for the anti-virus struggle, Our Party will invest alone its Budget subsidies in purchasing of the above-mentioned medical supplies”, stated Renato Usatii, who is continuing his home quarantine after he had returned from Great Britain on March 11.

Usatii also said he had personally purchased and presented 3,000 protective masks to the Balti Clinical Hospital and 4 thousand masks to Balti Primaria personnel and to family doctors’ centers.