{"id":444109,"date":"2017-07-23T23:29:26","date_gmt":"2017-07-23T23:29:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/?p=444109"},"modified":"2017-07-23T23:29:26","modified_gmt":"2017-07-23T23:29:26","slug":"eu-us-disappointed-moldova-parliaments-decision-disregard-venice-commission-odihr-recommendations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/eu-us-disappointed-moldova-parliaments-decision-disregard-venice-commission-odihr-recommendations\/","title":{"rendered":"EU, US disappointed by Moldova Parliament’s decision to disregard Venice Commission, ODIHR recommendations"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

On July 21st, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, together with the Neighborhood Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, issued a joint statement<\/a> on the change of the electoral system in Moldova adopted on July 20th<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to Mogherini and Hahn, the electoral system change\u00a0goes directly counter to the recent recommendations of the Venice Commission and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.<\/em><\/p>\n

The European officials underline that, despite the fact that the change is a sovereign decision of the Moldovan authorities, the electoral system change should have been with a broad consensus among political forces and should follow a genuine consultation of civil society and the recommendations of international partners. Moreover, Hahn and Mogherini stated that the EU continues to monitor the implementation of the new electoral law in the light of the new 100 million euros Macro-Financial Assistance and especially, of the Association Agreement.<\/p>\n

The biggest political groups of the Union also reacted to the electoral system change in Moldova. EPP issued a press-release calling the adoption of the mixed system “a disgrace”:<\/em><\/p>\n

“It is really regretful that 74 members of the parliament chose to strengthen the autocracy of the Democratic Party and the Socialists with its leader Plahotniuc instead of defending the interests of its people”,\u00a0<\/em>reads the press-release, mentioning the hasty manner the change was made.<\/p>\n

Most seriously, the EPP President, Joseph Daul, argues that the European Commission should\u00a0stop any funding and re-evaluate the EU-Moldova Association Agreement.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the other hand, the European Socialists, friends of the Moldovan Democrats, welcomed the adoption of the new system, claiming that it was adopted with a three-quarter majority and includes the most important recommendations of the Venice Commission.<\/p>\n

“The reform of the electoral law has been long awaited in Moldova, and it’s very positive news that it was finally adopted by a very strong majority of the Parliament of Moldova, including the ruling majority and the main opposition party”,\u00a0<\/em>declared S&D Vice-President Victor Bo\u0219tineanu, forgetting that the Socialists and the Democrats are not serious enemies when it comes to trying to grip on power together.<\/p>\n

The United States Embassy to Moldova also reacted to the adoption of the new system, saying that it is disappointed by the decision of the Parliament to\u00a0disregard the most important (…)\u00a0<\/em>recommendations\u00a0<\/em>given by the Venice Commission and ODIHR. The Embassy argues that the modifications put into questions the presumed government’s goal of a\u00a0democratic and European future for the people of Moldova<\/em>. Moreover, it states that it will continue to work with all stakeholders, including civil society, to make Moldova’s European future a reality.<\/p>\n