The Moldovan Government recently announced a program entitled Rethink Moldova, which seeks to modernize the country by ensuring responsible governance, economic recovery and development, and investments in human capital.
During a meeting with European officials in Brussels today, Prime Minister Vlad Filat signed the modernization plan today and received 2.6 billion U.S. dollars from foreign donors and European institutions.
The money will go toward numerous infrastructure projects, good governance, and education.
This is the largest amount of money Chisinau has ever received from foreign donors and is a considerable outpouring of financial support that suggests the European Union is seeking to play a more proactive role in the country.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Communist leader: Anti-Communist protester who died on April 7, 2009 was thrown from the Parliament window
Party of Communists (PC) head and former President (2001-2009) Vladimir Voronin said during a televised interview on ProTV that Valeriu Boboc, the young anti-Communist protester who was killed on April 7, was beaten and then thrown out of a Parliament window.
On that day, a number of violent protesters vandalized the Parliamentary and Presidential buildings. Communist authorities then initiated a mass repression campaign than ended in the detention of 700 people and the torture of 300 of them, according to a Soros report.
The official version about Mr. Boboc's death is that he was beaten by special forces on the night of April 7.
h/t www.stireazilei.md
On that day, a number of violent protesters vandalized the Parliamentary and Presidential buildings. Communist authorities then initiated a mass repression campaign than ended in the detention of 700 people and the torture of 300 of them, according to a Soros report.
The official version about Mr. Boboc's death is that he was beaten by special forces on the night of April 7.
h/t www.stireazilei.md
Seemingly backing down from comprehensive constitutional reform, Alliance focuses in on changing mode of presidential election instead
The ruling Alliance for European Integration (AEI) has, in the last few weeks, been issuing an array of statements that have varied from promises of a speedy referendum to pick a new Constitution to predictions of the inevitability of early legislative elections.
Things seem to be settling down now, as the AEI, along with a number of non-affiliated M.P.s in the legislature, has decided to create a special commission to change Article 78 in the current Constitution.
Right now, the head of state needs 61 out of 101 votes to get elected. Neither the Alliance, nor the AEI have that number of M.P.s, and that is why the country already went through an early legislative poll in July 2009.
Currently, the Liberal Party and Moldova Unita [United Moldova] Party representatives seem to be leaning toward electing the President with a simple majority of votes, while the Liberal Democratic, the Democratic Party, and Moldova Noastra [Our Moldova] want a direct election.
Things seem to be settling down now, as the AEI, along with a number of non-affiliated M.P.s in the legislature, has decided to create a special commission to change Article 78 in the current Constitution.
Right now, the head of state needs 61 out of 101 votes to get elected. Neither the Alliance, nor the AEI have that number of M.P.s, and that is why the country already went through an early legislative poll in July 2009.
Currently, the Liberal Party and Moldova Unita [United Moldova] Party representatives seem to be leaning toward electing the President with a simple majority of votes, while the Liberal Democratic, the Democratic Party, and Moldova Noastra [Our Moldova] want a direct election.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Veteran Communist leaves party, calls it "anti-national"
Iacob Timciuc, one of the oldest members of the Party of Communists (PC) announced today that he is leaving the party.
Mr. Timciuc accused the PC of turning into an "anti-national" party because a small group has taken over and promotes certain people in the ranks.
During the same day, Communist M.P. Svetlana Popa announced she is quitting the party's executive political office and accused leading Communist Mark Tkaciuk of turning the party into a business. Mr. Tkaciuk used to be former President Vladimir Voronin's advisor, and is a close ally of Mr. Voronin's.
The PC initially had 48 M.P.s in Parliament. Five have left, four of which went on to take over the Moldova Unita [United Moldova] Party, a left-wing group.
Mr. Timciuc accused the PC of turning into an "anti-national" party because a small group has taken over and promotes certain people in the ranks.
During the same day, Communist M.P. Svetlana Popa announced she is quitting the party's executive political office and accused leading Communist Mark Tkaciuk of turning the party into a business. Mr. Tkaciuk used to be former President Vladimir Voronin's advisor, and is a close ally of Mr. Voronin's.
The PC initially had 48 M.P.s in Parliament. Five have left, four of which went on to take over the Moldova Unita [United Moldova] Party, a left-wing group.
(ANALYSIS) Will Moldova hold early elections?
The Alliance for European Integration's (AEI) recent announcement that it would seek to change the Moldovan Constitution via a referendum led to a series of speculations about whether this plan would allow the country to avoid yet another early legislative election. Interim President Mihai Ghimpu certainly seems to think so, but his other coalition partners are less sanguine about the possibility.
The AEI is hoping to move very quickly in the next few months, come up with a project for a new Constitution, and then ask Moldovans to vote on it during the summer. In theory, the new Constitution would not require for Parliament to be dissolved and the Alliance could stay in power for the full four years.
Most analysts are skeptical about this plan, however, and Alliance members themselves seem to be backing down from the intention already. The Venice Commision recently released a notice recommending that Parliament be dismissed by June 16 and that new elections be called. Prime Minister Vlad Filat immediately replied that given this institution's position, "early elections are inevitable."
In a related news story, Communist head Vladimir Voronin has announced that his party would be willing to help change the article on the presidential election if the Alliance calls early elections. At the moment, the head of state needs to be elected with the vote of 61 M.P.s. Neither the Communists nor the Alliance have that number. The president could be elected with a simple majority if the ruling coalition and the opposition agree.
In short, it looks like the Alliance's early announcement about a referendum may not materialize given the reluctance of European institutions to accept it. For this reason, the Party of Communists (PC) seems to have scored a short-term gain because it has been the most vocal supporter of early elections. The PC can also position itself as being in full agreement with the Venice Commission. On the other hand, the ruling Alliance could very well argue to its electorate that it sought constitutional change but had to change plans because European institutions disagreed.
Whatever the case may be, it still remains unclear whether Moldova will have early elections. The possibility is certainly higher now that the Alliance is seemingly going to have to convince both the Communists and European institutions that the adoption of a new Constitution very soon is a good idea.
The AEI is hoping to move very quickly in the next few months, come up with a project for a new Constitution, and then ask Moldovans to vote on it during the summer. In theory, the new Constitution would not require for Parliament to be dissolved and the Alliance could stay in power for the full four years.
Most analysts are skeptical about this plan, however, and Alliance members themselves seem to be backing down from the intention already. The Venice Commision recently released a notice recommending that Parliament be dismissed by June 16 and that new elections be called. Prime Minister Vlad Filat immediately replied that given this institution's position, "early elections are inevitable."
In a related news story, Communist head Vladimir Voronin has announced that his party would be willing to help change the article on the presidential election if the Alliance calls early elections. At the moment, the head of state needs to be elected with the vote of 61 M.P.s. Neither the Communists nor the Alliance have that number. The president could be elected with a simple majority if the ruling coalition and the opposition agree.
In short, it looks like the Alliance's early announcement about a referendum may not materialize given the reluctance of European institutions to accept it. For this reason, the Party of Communists (PC) seems to have scored a short-term gain because it has been the most vocal supporter of early elections. The PC can also position itself as being in full agreement with the Venice Commission. On the other hand, the ruling Alliance could very well argue to its electorate that it sought constitutional change but had to change plans because European institutions disagreed.
Whatever the case may be, it still remains unclear whether Moldova will have early elections. The possibility is certainly higher now that the Alliance is seemingly going to have to convince both the Communists and European institutions that the adoption of a new Constitution very soon is a good idea.
Monday, March 15, 2010
After April unrest, Communists were planning on buying half-million-dollar crowd-control vehicle that shot water, teargas, and paint
After the April unrest, when anti-Communist protests degenerated into vandalism of the Parliament and Presidential buildings, the Party of Communists was looking into buying crowd-control vehicles.
This revelation was made after the current Alliance for European Integration published a secret document in which then-President Vladimir Voronin asked cabinet officials to investigate the matter.
One of the vehicles would have cost nearly half a million dollars, and would have been able to shoot water, teargas, and paint on protesters.
h/t www.stireazilei.md
This revelation was made after the current Alliance for European Integration published a secret document in which then-President Vladimir Voronin asked cabinet officials to investigate the matter.
One of the vehicles would have cost nearly half a million dollars, and would have been able to shoot water, teargas, and paint on protesters.
h/t www.stireazilei.md
Norway to provide facilitated visa regime for Moldovans
Deputy Prime Minister Iurie Leanca was in Norway this weekend, where he met with local officials.
Mr. Leanca announced that Norwegian authorities have pledged to offer Moldovans a facilitated visa regime.
One of the most important goals of the ruling Alliance for European Integration is to ultimately convince the European Union to allow Moldovans to visit Europe without visas.
Mr. Leanca announced that Norwegian authorities have pledged to offer Moldovans a facilitated visa regime.
One of the most important goals of the ruling Alliance for European Integration is to ultimately convince the European Union to allow Moldovans to visit Europe without visas.
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