The Constitutional Court gave a negative appraisal of the PLDM-PLR initiative to hold a referendum on amending the Constitution, so that it allows for the direct election of the head of state, simultaneously with the November 30 parliamentary elections, IPN reports

The Court held that the initiative does not meet the constitutional requirements concerning the procedure for reviewing the Constitution. The period between the submission of such an initiative and the holding of a referendum must be six months. The quality of the text is also inappropriate. In the formulated question, the people are asked if they agree that the head of state must be elected and dismissed by direct vote. The people are asked to give an answer to two problems – the election and dismissal of the head of state.

The head of the Liberal-Democratic parliamentary group Valeriu Strelet, one of the authors of the bill, said the Court’s decision will be respected and implemented, but they have the right to express their bewilderment as the previous jurisdictional practice was taken into account when the constitutional initiative was submitted for consideration.

“We took into account the fact that the Court pronounced on the amendment of the Constitution in two of its appraisals in 2010, particularly on the election of the head of state. That’s why the Court’s appraisal that what was earlier constitutional now is not constitutional surprises us and leaves us without reply,” stated Valeriu Strelet.

He assured that the PLDM will remain faithful to the objective of amending the Constitution so that the President is erected directly by the people. “We set this objective in the party’s platform and will achieve it. I think that namely on November 30 was it opportune to hold this referendum, especially because the voter turnout would have been secured and we would have eliminated a problem that caused blockage and led to the replacement of three Parliaments. We will yet comply with this decision,” said the head of the Liberal-Democratic faction.

The PLDM and PLR asked the Constitutional Court to appraise a bill providing that a referendum on the method of electing the head of state will be held on November 30, simultaneously with the legislative elections. The PDM supported this initiative, but didn’t agree with the date when the plebiscite was to be held.