​ALLIANCE AGREEMENT MAY BE SIGNED BY THIS WEEKEND – NEGOTIATORS

The agreement on forming a new governing coalition in Moldova may well be signed already by the end of this week, the leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party and Liberal Party stated to the press upon completion of a new round of negotiations on Thursday.

The talks, held in the Parliament Building today, lasted more than 4 hours, and involved the three party leaders and the parties’ alliance drafting group members.

LDP Chairman Vlad Filat stated the sides have practically agreed upon signing an agreement on forming a pro-European coalition with a stable majority in parliament.

“I think the agreement may be signed on Friday or Saturday, and surely by the end of this week. We have discussed the distribution of plenary powers, not ministries, as well as a methodology of electing President of Moldova”, said Filat.

According to him, a decision has been taken to hold a “constitutional referendum” in autumn. On its basis, a motion will be made to introduce amendments to the Constitution namely to the Article on electing president. According to the proposed amendments, the 101-member Parliament will be given three attempts to elect the head of state: first – by 61 votes, then by 57 votes. And if no such many willing deputies are available – at the last attempt it will be possible to elect president by a simple majority i.e. by 51 deputies.

Asked about his detained relatives, Filat stated he does not believe in such kind of coincidences.

“Simply, somebody is waiting for my losing self-control and my going emotional. Such expectations are in vain! Everybody understands that the detentions are certainly not accidental. But I firmly believe my brother-in-law and his son – my nephew – will succeed in proving they are not guilty. I will not interfere into the investigation. I will continue working out the alliance agreement”, stated Filat.

The LDP leader offered a supposition that upon creation of a stable parliamentary majority, the Moldovan Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Anti-Corruption Center (NACC) will come to have also new employees – experts from Europe.

“We are discussing the appointment of not only a prosecutor general from Europe, but also other essential posts – in the NACC and courts”, said Vlad Filat.

Democratic Party leader Marian Lupu welcomed the negotiators’ good progress, which he believes should permit to form a new Government by the end of July.

“We discussed the questions of appointments, too. Moldova does not differ from other countries in what concerns mechanisms of governance and responsibility. Though we have decided to start these negotiations from the zero, the three parties concerned have a vast history of previous interaction, and I am glad that we succeed in stepping over our past offences”, said Marian Lupu.

Liberal Party Chairman Mihai Ghimpu also expressed satisfaction about the negotiations.

“We stand up for forming an alliance, whose parties would have equal rights and duties. We shall elect a government that will work in the interests of not certain personalities but of the alliance as a whole. Ministries of government shall be distributed between the three parties depending on the number of deputies each party has in the Parliament. We haven’t yet discussed candidacies for the prime ministerial post”, said Ghimpu.