SOCIALIST LEADER STATED THAT HE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE “IMMORTAL REGIMENT’ ACTION TOGETHER WITH PARTY MEMBERS

The chairman of the Socialist Party, former President Igor Dodon, stated that on May 9, he will participate in the “Immortal Regiment” action together with party members. As reported by INFOTAG, he announced this on Friday in a video on social networks.

Dodon called on fellow citizens to join the action, which is organized not by the party, but by the public committee “Victory”.

He expressed outrage that this year the authorities intend to set up a European village on the square of the Great National Assembly in the center of Chisinau to celebrate Europe Day on May 9.

“In previous years, they always celebrated it on May 8. This is an attempt to provoke citizens, to clash people head-on, but the authors of this idea will fail. The Victory Day action will take place no matter what; it is a sacred day for us,” the socialist emphasized. Dodon also said that on Victory Day, he would wear the George ribbon.

“The court has already stated that wearing it is not prohibited by law as a sign of memory. Therefore, personally, on May 9, I will wear the George ribbon,” Dodon said.

In 2021, the parliament adopted a law stating that the George ribbon, as well as the V and Z symbols, are symbols of Russian aggression against Ukraine, so their wearing is prohibited. Violation entails a fine of 4,500 to 9,000 lei ($250-$500) or unpaid work for the benefit of society for 30 to 60 hours, and for legal entities and officials, a fine of 9,000 to 18,000 lei ($500 - $1000). The violation must be recorded by police officers.

At the request of the socialists, the Constitutional Court later concluded that wearing the George ribbon is not a violation if it is done as a sign of memory, not as propaganda of war and violence.

In 2022, the parliament passed a law stating that May 9 in Moldova is a public holiday - Europe Day. Also, the procedure for renaming Victory Day to Victory over Nazism and in memory of those who died in World War II has begun. Amendments to the legislation also proposed to celebrate this day not on May 9, but on May 8, as in European countries. However, these amendments were never considered at a plenary session of the parliament.

This year, as in the previous year, the “Immortal Regiment” action has been canceled in Russia. This is explained by security considerations due to the ongoing war with Ukraine. At the same time, foreign media write that the Russian authorities fear that Russian citizens will march not only with portraits of those who died in World War II, but also with portraits of 150-200 thousand killed in the war in Ukraine.