MOLDOVA WILL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION VENICE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING FINANCING OF PARTIES

The Parliament of Moldova stands ready to take into account the Venice Commission’s recommendations concerning the financing of political parties and movements “to thus keep step with democratic norms”, Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu stated during his Wednesday’s meeting with a group of experts from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), and from the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO).

The interlocutors discussed the current Moldovan legislation on financing political parties and election campaigns. Speaker Candu said that starting from 2015, the Law on Political Parties has always been a subject of heated debates and numerous proposals from parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties as well as of the civil society.

He briefed the European visitors about the recent change of the electoral system in Moldova, the amendments introduced into the Election Code, and about the stimulating measures being taken to ensure gender equality. In conformity with the commitments taken before the country’s development partners and with the Venice Commission recommendations to promote women in politics, the parties that will be supporting the existing quota of 40% in single-mandate constituencies, too, will be enjoying a financial support from the State Budget in the amount of minimum 10%. In his words, depending on the coefficient, the financing will be increased with each female candidate who has come to parliament.

Speaking of party financing, Candu drew attention to high risks of foreign interference into elections, “so, financing methods must be regulated with a maximum-possible attention”.

The Venice Commission delegation promised to publish their conclusions on the Moldovan party-financing legislation by early December. During their visit to Moldova, the guests met with the representatives of opposition parties, who regard the legislation as “imperfect and gauged to the interests of the ruling Democratic Party”.