PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY APPOINTS “OPPOSITION DAY” WITHOUT ASKING OPPOSITION’S OPINION

The Moldovan Parliament has appointed “The Day of the Opposition in the Parliament” without actually asking the opposition’s opinion. The decision was taken by parliamentary majority on Wednesday on the Government’s proposal.

Deputy Minister of Justice Nicolae Esanu explained that the initiative is aimed at fulfilling the decision of the Constitutional Court on observing the opposition’s rights. According to the bill, the agenda of the Parliament’s last plenary day of each month is formed on the opposition’s proposals.

The Communists fingered at a number of inconsistencies in the bill. Elena Bodnarenco said, for instance, that “It is clear from the bill that the opposition deputies have the right to put forward proposals into the agenda. But what will be if the proposals are rejected by the parliamentary majority? Who can guarantee that the opposition’s initiatives will be approved? What’s the use of passing laws for the sake of just passing something?”

Deputy Minister Esanu objected, saying “That’s not so. Nobody can force deputies to vote for this or that decision if they don't wish to”.

Communist MP Oleg Reidman criticized the bill, stating that it is aimed against the opposition.

“By this bill, you are seeking to finally drive the opposition into stables to stand there in silence, and to propose initiatives only when the majority permits. We don't need such law”, stated Reidman.

Liberal MP Veaceslav Untila doubted the expediency of passing the bill in the absence of the Parliament’s largest faction of Socialists [24-of-101], who boycotted the parliament plenary meeting on Wednesday. He suggested postponing the bill, but a majority voted for it in a first reading.