​ACUM BLOC DELEGATES ITS REPRESENTATIVES FOR MEETING WITH SOCIALISTS

The opposition political bloc ACUM, consisting of the parliamentary factions of the DA Platform and the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), has commenced consultations with the forum’s largest faction of the Party of Socialists (PSRM). On Wednesday afternoon, ACUM representatives came for a meeting with the Socialists, which was organized in the Parliament Building on the PSRM’s initiative.

The ACUM delegation included DA Platform Deputy Chairman MP Alexandru Slusari and PAS Deputy Chairman MP Mihai Popsoi. The Socialist faction was represented by PSRM Secretary for Ideology Ion Ceban, PSRM Executive Secretary Vlad Batrincea, MP Gaik Vartanyan, and PSRM Staff Lawyer Fadei Nagacevschi. The consultations were held in the presence of journalists.

“We want to receive answers to two principal questions: if a PSRM/ACUM coalition fails to be formed, will the Socialists make a coalition with the Democratic Party or not? And the second question: is the PSRM ready to support the ACUM-proposed package of draft laws on de-oligarchization of the country?” asked Alexandru Slusari.

In reply, Ion Ceban stated the PSRM stands ready to discuss all questions with the ACUM bloc.

“At the moment, we have a mandate of the PSRM Political Executive Committee for holding negotiations with ACUM. And we have no mandate for negotiations on forming another coalition. Today we can say that either we form a coalition with ACUM or Moldova will hold a snap election”, stated Ion Ceban.

He stressed: “Now we must sit at a negotiating table and discuss all questions”.

“We must act strictly within the frames of law. For this, we have to form the Parliament’s governing bodies, to elect a Speaker, and move on. We believe that the Party of Socialists, having the largest parliamentary faction of 35, has the right to nominate its candidate for the Parliament Speaker’s post. And we have nominated PSRM Chairperson Zinaida Greceanii as our candidate. Now we must discuss all the rest questions”, said Ion Ceban.

Alexandru Slusari stated that the ACUM bloc “cannot form a coalition with the Party of Socialists due to known principal differences remaining between us”.

“We suggest a roadmap of further actions – to form parliament’s working structures, adopt the package of country de-oligarchization laws, to appoint a minority government. We are ready to assume responsibility for such minority government so as to subsequently liberate our captured state”, stated Alexandru Slusari.

Mihai Popsoi said that it is principally important for ACUM to approve the de-oligarchization laws, not to necessarily form a governing coalition with the Socialists.

“We want to know if you are ready to wage, together with us, a deadly struggle against the Democratic Party and its leader Vlad Plahotniuc. For this, you have to approve the 7 de-oligarchization bills proposed by us”, stated Mihai Popsoi.

Ion Ceban stressed the Socialists are ready to back many ACUM initiatives except the so-called “Magnitsky Law”.

“And in all the rest, we must discuss all questions and act within legal frames”, said Ceban.

The ACUM representatives again stated they are insisting on adoption of the de-oligarchization laws, but cannot form a coalition with the Socialists. But the Socialists again stressed that it is necessary to observe the legislation in force and to act step by step, “but for taking decisions, it is first necessary to agree upon the creation of a parliamentary majority”.

“We cannot form a stable coalition with the Party of Socialists. This is impossible because there are principal differences separating us. We can only form a provisional parliamentary majority in order to remove the Democrats from power. For this, we are proposing you to support our minority government”, said Mihai Popsoi.

He also said that ACUM deputies are ready to support some Socialist initiatives concerning social issues.

“But we cannot support the laws that split the Moldovan society and those pertaining to presidential powers strengthening. The society-splitting bills just cannot be backed by ACUM – categorically!” stressed Alexandru Slusari.

The discussion participants eventually stated that the two organizations have considerable differences, so it will be difficult for them to form a coalition, but they can cooperate on certain questions. The discussion last nearly one hour.