The lawmakers who will be absent from the Parliament’s sittings without reason will not receive salaries for that day. A relevant bill was put forward by the Liberal Party and adopted by 50 votes in first reading. The Communist faction voted against, Info-Prim Neo reports. “In the parliamentary practice of Moldova, they use the long-term boycott of sittings. This should be regarded as a flagrant violation of the obligations to strictly obey the Constitution and the laws,” said chairman of the legal commission for appointments and immunities Victor Popa. Currently, the lawmakers who boycott the sittings receive full salaries. “We consider that the boycott does not have well-founded reason and thus the MPs who boycott the sittings or are absent without reason must be penalized by being deprived of salary for the days they are absent,” said Victor Popa. Communist MP Sergiu Stati said the bill is amusing. “Does this bill apply only to Parliament or also to the City Hall, where the nephew misses the meetings? Does the nephew have immunity?” he asked, referring to Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca, who is the nephew of the Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu. Another Communist lawmaker, Sergiu Sirbu said the MPs serve the interests of the people, not of those who need a quorum. “You could propose shooting us for being absent. The MPs cannot be held accountable for their opinion. Our opinion is that we should boycott the sittings. There are no laws suppressing the people’s freedoms,” he stated. Liberal MP Valeriu Saharneanu said the bill is aimed at ‘parasites’. “All the parasites must leave the legislature,” he stated. Valeriu Munteanu, of the Liberal group, explained that the parasites are those who benefit from other people and told the Communist MPs not to be angry for being called ‘parasites’. Mihai Ghimpu suggested that the money that will be retained for groundless absences should be transferred to children’s homes or elderly persons. After discussions, the bill was passed by 50 votes in favor.