Andrei Năstase, who announced earlier his intention to run independently for the office of President, wants to have debates with President Maia Sandu. At a press briefing, the politician announced that he submitted a request inviting the head of state to debates in front of the Presidential Palace next Monday, at 11:00 a.m., IPN reports.
The politician also asked the head of state to initiate the implementation of the results of the 2019 referendum, through which 73% of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova expressed their wish for the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova to have a smaller number of MPs (Although validated, the result of that consultative referendum was not put to the vote in Parliament, e.n.). According to Andrei Năstase, the reduction in the number of MPs is a will that was also expressed by the over 405,000 signatures collected a few years before the referendum together with an initiative group.
Another request made by the politician is that the President, together with the current parliamentary majority, should remove the ban prohibiting individuals, independent candidates, to participate in the promotion of the referendum on the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union.
Andrei Năstase stressed that the avoidance of debates does not show that the President is strong. “We need such a debate held in a European and Western spirit. It is important for the people because our citizens deserve a President who is not afraid of debates and does not hide from the people,” said the politician.
The electoral period for the presidential election and the referendum of October 20 began on August 1. The period of nomination and registration of candidates for the office of President of the Republic of Moldova and participants in the referendum will start on August 21, while the electoral campaign will start on September 20.
Adrian Băluțel, the chief of staff of President Maia Sandu, has told IPN that the request will be analyzed and an answer will be given in accordance with the legislation, specifying that the rules for organizing debates are decided by the CEC, not by the presidential administration. He noted that promoting the European integration of the Republic of Moldova has been President Maia Sandu’s objective from the first day of her mandate. “On countless occasions, we called on all the politicians to go to the villages, to talk to the people, to discuss the importance of European integration, to urge everyone to take part in the referendum. And this is what we want to see in all the responsible politicians,” said Adrian Băluțel.
