PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AND PRIME MINISTER PRESENT REFORMS TO DIPLOMATS

Speaker of the Parliament Andrian Candu and Prime Minister Pavel Filip presented the reforms, discussed by politicians and the society, to diplomats accredited in Moldova. Candu presented the amendments to the Election Code, adopted in the first reading, while Prime Minister Pavel Filip - reform of the Government and the Central Public Administration.

The Premier said that the reform is proposed to be started with adopting a new law on the Government. According to him, this will become the first step in creating the legal context, necessary for fulfilling the structural reform of central authorities. "A strong state is equal to strong institutions, as it is namely them who are elaborating the policy the country development depends on. Processes from the last several years, however, led to weakening of their potential, including due to the low salary. We want to propose raising of salaries at the same time with the optimization of structures which will become more flexible", the Premier said.

Among the main provisions of the law, he enumerated the dividing of political and administrative functions, clear division of duties of the Government, the Ministries and the State Chancellery for avoiding their doubling. The head of the Government also pointed at strengthening of principles of integrity at appointing members of the Government, regulation of the Government members' dismissal, as well as the adoption of the new legal terminology in accordance with changes to the legislation. Also, it is provided the exclusion of the position of Deputy Minister and appointment of a position of state sub-secretary.

"The draft will be presented for public consultations. After that, it should be approved at the Government meeting and directed to the Parliament", Filip said.

In his turn, Candu informed diplomats about the reform of election system and the two draft laws, adopted in the first reading, which will be merged. He said that five public hearings have been conducted on this issue, including three - in the Parliament with participation of parties, civil society and experts. Also, debates, organized with the support of international partners, were attended by representatives of extra-parliamentary parties.

"During parliamentary hearings, we reached a compromise. Due to this, a wide consensus was achieved, which was supported by 74 of 101 MPs. We are waiting for Venice Commission's decision, whose experts visited Chisinau last week. The Parliament will conduct the voting on the project in the final reading only after taking into consideration the Venice Commission's recommendations", Candu said.

The discussion was attended by ambassadors of EU member countries, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the US.