MPs celebrate Christmas differently, but all consider it important

Despite the agitation typical of the winter holidays and the disputes over legislative initiatives and bills in the Parliament before Christmas according to the new style, the MPs find time for the holidays and speak about their wishes for the new year and the nice traditions they follow. A large part of the MPs interviewed by Info-Prim Neo said usually they celebrate Christmas on December 25, while on January 7 they go to their parents. Others yet observe Christmas according to the old style. [Moldova's Acting President and the Head of Parliament Mihai Ghimpu] said he impatiently waits for December 25 to celebrate Christmas, when he forgets about all the political problems. He said on Christmas he will pray that the next year be better and more productive. He also said he has one more wish – to give up smoking. “I want that Santa Claus brings me a big cigarette that I could smoke and then wish no more cigarettes,” Ghimpu joked. Mihai Ghimpu would like to ski during the winter vacation, but he must look and see if his skies are not covered with rust. Other MPs did not want to say how they will spend the vacation. For [Democratic MP Oleg Serebrian], Christmas is a family holiday. He said that on December 25, he, his wife and his parents will be in Azerbaijan's capital Baku at his sister. His colleague from the Democratic faction [Valentina Buliga] said she will celebrate Christmas on December 25, while on January 7 she will go to visit her father in the country. “I want to rest because I worked hard and want to spend more time with my family. I want my children to be happy and healthy. I want that the rule of law is established in Moldova and that the people have well-paid jobs and decent pensions,” Buliga said. [The Democratic Party's president Marian Lupu] said they observe Christmas according to the new style in his family, but more because it is a modern trend. Yet, they celebrate the traditional Christmas on January 7. “I think we will organize a party event on December 25 so as we could be free after December 26 and 27 and celebrate New Year's Eve together with our families,” Lupu said. [Communist MP Iurie Muntean] said he celebrates Christmas only on January 7 because he is Moldovan and because his ancestors did so during hundreds of years. [Independent MP Vladimir Turcan] said that as December 25 was declared nonworking day, he will observe Christmas on that day and on January 7 as well. Asked where he will spend his vacation, Turcan said this year he will stay at home. “I always celebrated Christmas on December 25 because my native village Larga in Briceni district observes Christmas on December 25 and I cannot change the tradition,” said [the AMN leader Serafim Urecheanu]. “I consider we should celebrate these holidays in the same way as all the other civilized states.” Asked what presents he wants to receive, Urecheanu said that he does not need presents, but will prepare a lot of surprises for his three grandchildren. [Liberal MP Corina Fusu] will also celebrate Christmas on December 25 as she always felt European and wanted to be alongside the European and democratic states. “I' am not against celebrating this holiday on January 7 too. My grandmother observed Christmas on January 7 and I visited her on that day with pleasure,” Fusu said. On December 28, the Parliament will hold its last sitting this year, which will be a festive one.