The Government reform was adopted by Parliament in the first reading. The bill caused heated debated, with the opposition leveling harsh criticism. The Communist and Socialist MPs demanded to withdraw the draft law, IPN reports.
Socialist MP Vasile Bolea criticized the fact that the bill does not specify the exact number of ministries as a result of the reform. Thus, one Prime Minister can ask for five ministries, while another one for 22 ministries and these fluctuations will endanger the stability of governance. Lib-Dem Vadim Pistrinciuc said the strategic and institutional farmworker of Moldova will be thus affected.
The leader of the Party of Communists Vladimir Voronin added that if the proposal is passed, the country and the government system will be definitively destroyed.
Lib-Dem Iurie Tap expressed his disagreement with particular additional powers given to the Government. “The bill provides that the Government decides how the Government decisions and orders are drafted, adopted and issued. By law, it is the Parliament that decides, not the executive,” he stated.
Unaffiliated MP Lilian Carp expressed his concern about the way in which transparency in the Government’s work will be ensured. “Under the bill, the Premier will decide if the meeting is public or nor. But the law provides that the meetings are public or we will again learn about a Government decision taken in secret whereby billions of lei are withdrawn from the funds of the central bank,” he said.
For his part, Iurie Ciocan, director of the Center for Reform Implementation, said the bill does not specify the number of ministries, but legal conditions will be created for determining the number of ministries by a separate procedure. As to the meetings of the Government, Iurie Ciocan said these can be held behind closed doors if a matter of major importance or a state secret is discussed there.
Despite the criticism, the bill was passed in the first reading by a majority of votes. The MPs were asked to propose amendments for the second, final reading.
