PRESIDENT DODON REFUSES TO PROMULGATE DECISION ON GIVING STADIUM LAND PLOT FOR AMERICAN EMBASSY CONSTRUCTION

Moldovan President Igor Dodon has refused to promulgate the Parliament-approved Law on giving the former National Stadium’s land plot for the construction of a new American Embassy complex.

Dodon wrote in his Facebook page on Thursday that he had sent the Law back to the Parliament for re-consideration.

“Like most of Moldova citizens, I believe that the stadium land plot [over 5 hectares in central Chisinau] should be used for building a public park or a cultural center to be open to all citizens of the country”, wrote the head of state.

Dodon also published on his Facebook page the accompanying letter he had sent to Parliament Chairman Andrian Candu, in which he presented arguments for his refusal. The President wrote that for decades [since 1952] the National Stadium had been the country’s main sportive arena and one of the nation’s symbols. He reminded that sportive installations inside the stadium fence were demolished by the governmental decision taken yet in 2006, after which several Resolutions were adopted on the building of a new stadium there, including by using a State-private partnership.

Dodon presumes that in such situation, any other decision concerning how to use the stadium territory must be taken jointly with citizens, including through a referendum.

“But in this very case, everything was done diametrically differently: the authorities completely ignored citizens’ opinion, and passed the decision [on giving the territory to the American side] in haste”, wrote Igor Dodon.

He regards this to be a violation of certain Constitution provisions pertaining to citizens’ rights, sovereignty of the people, and citizens’ participation in managing public affairs.

In his accompanying letter, the President fingered at a number of procedural irregularities. Thus, the said Law speaks of a complete demolition of remaining National Stadium installations, but does not stipulate sources of financing such works. Also, the Law stipulates a sale/purchase of the stadium plot, but does not indicate concretely that its buyer is the United States Embassy. Also, the formula of plot price definition is not clear.

“By passing the Law on demolition and alienation of the National Stadium the Parliament has ignored the public opinion thus provoking a public discontent. The President has already received hundreds of addresses from citizens demanding to decline the Law that may cause conflicts”, wrote Igor Dodon.

The President proposed the Speaker to return to the stadium plot question next year, after the parliamentary elections, so as to work out a suitable solution.

According to the legislation amended by the ruling majority expertly last couple of years, the President of Moldova may decline promulgation of a law or decision only once. So, if the Parliament disagrees and votes for the law for a second time, the President must promulgate it. But should he refuse again, then by decision of the Constitutional Court the head of state may be suspended from his office for a short time [necessary to put a signature under a paper], in which the law in question is promulgated by an Acting President ad Interim – the Speaker of Parliament or the Prime Minister.