​GAGAUZ PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT FORM A CONCILIATION COMMISSION

The Gagauzia Popular Assembly (GPA) and the Gagauzia Executive Committee [regional government] established on Tuesday a conciliation commission on resolving the problem on introducing amendments to the regional election code.

The GPA amended the Gagauzia Election Code, which imply the raising of the minimal voter turnout to 50% from one-third for electing Gagauzia governor, as well as the conducting of elections in accordance with the lists of the Moldovan National voter registry, but not the local authorities. However, Gagauzia Bashkan Irina Vlah declined the proposed draft law, refusing to promulgate it.

At the Tuesday’s GPA sitting, Vlah stated that she will never sign the laws adopted in violation of the current legislation.

“In my letter to the GPA it was said that any draft law should be directed to commissions and departments for conclusions. This has not been done at the adoption of amendments, which appeared in the last moment. When the procedures are violated, we cannot even start the discussions on the matter”, she stated.

Vlah said that she will sign the law if MPs will overcome the right to veto. For this, it is necessary that 24 of 35 GPA deputies to vote for the adoption of amendments, while the parliamentary majority, controlled by the Democratic Party, is made of only 8 MPs.

GPA Chairman Vladimir Kyssa proposed to agree with the decision of the standing committee for appointments, immunity and deputy ethics, which proposed to form a conciliation commission.

The formation of the commission took place in conditions when near a rally was conducted the building, where parliamentarians and executive representatives were sitting. The protest gathered around 1 thousand Gagauzia citizens. The sitting of the GPA and the GEC was online broadcasted on a screen before protesters. Most of the gathered people were chanting slogans in support to Irina Vlah.

The incumbent Bashkan came out to the people and thanked them for support.

“I have a reliable support and I feel that people are with me. If the Gagauz people is with me, this means we are on the right track. We are following the track of the law. What did some MPs tried to do? These were attempts to bring the Gagauz election legislation in line with the Moldovan code. They have still not renounced this intention, they just took a pause. They want to meet in a number of 20 people and take decisions they like”, Vlah said, addressing to rally participants.