PRESIDENT DODON PROMULGATES LAW ON VOTING SYSTEM CHANGE A FEW HOURS AFTER ITS ADOPTION

Moldovan President Igor Dodon has today promulgated the law on the country's transition to the mixed electoral system - only a few hours after the document had been approved in parliament by deputies from the ruling coalition and the pro-presidential Party of Socialists.

"I congratulate all citizens of Moldova on this event. I am sure this is a new page in Moldova's modern history. Let's work on to achieve all our declared goals. Moldova has a future!' Dodon wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday.

One hour before that, Speaker Andrian Candu stated to journalists in the Parliament that the promulgation of the law "will take time... I have no idea how long it will need".

Experts are pointing out that not a single law in Moldova's history over last quarter of a century was promulgated by a head of state on the same day with passing in parliament. They are explaining such an amazing swiftness has largely been due to the loud actions of protest continuing before the Parliament and the Presidential Office. Due to this reason, too, the law was rammed through the second, final reading in parliament without making whatever corrections or discussion or hearing questions from deputies. Three opposition factions left the session room in indignation and joined the protesters outside the Parliament Building.

In the afternoon, a part of the protesters marched over to the Presidential Office, where they agreed to continue their protesting on Friday starting from noon to thus not let President Dodon tot promulgate the law. But as soon as they vacated the place, the president promulgated the law.