Uninominal vote will lead to qualitative reformation of parties, Vlad Plahotniuc

The election of MPs by direct vote in constituencies would modernize the political parties and would reform them from qualitative viewpoint, First Deputy Speaker Vlad Plahotniuc, who is the deputy chairman of the Democratic Party, said when presenting a bill on uninominal vote drafted by him, Info-Prim Neo reports. The bill was discussed with civil society, representatives of parliamentary parties, foreign experts and political analysts on April 17. Vlad Plahotniuc said that he wants the bill to be improved by these debates so that it is passed by Parliament. “The role of the parties will remain essential. They will put forward candidates in constituencies. This will enable to choose between the political doctrines. But the candidates should be well prepared and have chances of winning. This will lead to the qualitative reformation of the parties,” said the First Deputy Speaker. The bill says the 101 lawmakers should be elected in 101 constituencies, including the Transnistrian region and the diasporas abroad. According to Vlad Plahotniuc, when the uninominal vote is instituted, there will appear motivation to promote the direct representatives of Transnistria to the Parliament of Moldova. “I decided to promote the uninominal vote at the insistent requests made by voters during meetings held in most of the Moldovan districts. The people want to choose the MPs directly so that they bear personal responsibility before the voters,” stated Vlad Plahotniuc. He also said that the bill is aimed at bringing about a radical and beneficial change in the electoral system. He voiced hope that the parliamentary opposition will also take part in the vote on this bill. “They speak about the necessity of initiatives that would unite us. This bill is of national interest,” he stated, adding that he is ready to accept suggestions for improving the bill, made by experts. The public debates on the reformation of the electoral system were organized by the National Democratic Institute in partnership with the International Republican Institute, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).