The representatives of extra-parliamentary parties have differing opinions about the initiative to amend the Constitution so that it allows for the direct election of the head of state, which was put forward by the Socialist and Liberal-Democratic MPs. The issue was discussed in the talk show “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.
Mihai Godea, who heads the Democratic Action Party, said he is for modifying the method of electing the President. “Now the prerogatives of the head of state are too broad if taking into account the method of electing him. I think the President’s prerogatives should be maintained, but the method of choosing the head of state should be amended,” he stated.
The secretary general of the Social Democratic Party Sergiu Coropceanu expressed another opinion. “It should be clear if a profound reform will be done or only the method of choosing the head of state will be modified. The people do not understand what head of state means and we could see a mayor of Balti or of Orhei becoming President. We are for electing the head of state by director vote, but the President’s prerogatives should be widened,” he said.
Mihai Petrache, the chairman of the Centrist Union Party, said the head of state should be elected by the people and this should enjoy broad prerogatives, but he is skeptical that the initiative of the Socialist and Liberal-Democratic MPs will be successful. “Parliament does not have the right to reject an initiative proposed by the people. But what is done in a hurry is usually ineffective. In Parliament, we have two parties that vehemently oppose the direct election of the head of state. The President needs leverage. He was turned into a toy, as the Government was. The person holds the post for four years, but can say nothing categorical,” he stated.
The PLDM and PSRM have recently submitted a bill to amend the Constitution so that it allows for the election of the President by the people to the Constitutional Court for appraisal. The head of state is now chosen by Parliament. The legislative body has repeatedly failed to reach a consensus over the candidate for the presidency, causing political crises.
