SIX DEMOCRATS DIVORCE PARTY, QUIT PARLIAMENTARY FACTION

Six members of the Moldovan Parliament – Andrian Candu [ex-Speaker], Sergiu Sirbu, Vladimir Cebotari, Eleonora Graur, Grigore Repesciuc and Corneliu Padnevici – have resigned from the Democratic Party and left its parliamentary faction “due to our disagreement with the actions by the new DPM leadership”.

Candu stated at a news conference on Wednesday that the Democratic Party must have formulated and assumed a clear-cut stance on the vote of no confidence in Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Aurel Ciocoi.

“We regard the Minister’s statement [that the Russian army helped to prevent bloodshed and to put an end to the 1992 armed conflict on the Dniester] to be a scandalous one that must not be left unpunished. Instead of that, we heard [from the DPM leadership] only evasive answers that a decision would allegedly be taken in the DPM parliamentary faction”, said Andrian Candu.

In his words, the DPM leadership appears to be unable to clearly answer to party members, who want to know whether the DPM is in the opposition or in power currently. “So, they prefer to create a platform for discussions with Socialists instead of starting negotiations with all forces in the Parliament”.

“They would not even give us a chance to start negotiations with other parliamentary forces. Instead of recognizing such necessity, our party leaders organized a secret meeting with Socialists held in the presence of Prime Minister Ion Chicu and President Igor Dodon. They shake hands, embrace one another, make photographs, and say that they have common outlooks. On the following day, the DPM leaders send us a press release saying that they are not negotiating whatever coalitions”, said Andrian Candu.

He maintained that initially, more DPM faction members were going to quit it, “but due to pressure and blackmail they are still hesitant”.