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Approximately 7,000–8,000 lei will go from the state budget to use the Palace of Republic's hall for each plenary sitting of the 17th legislature. The deputy director-general of the Parliament Apparatus, Constantin Stratan, said that the expenses to organise the work of the new Parliament will cover just payments for utilities including electricity and water, and heating on winter. At the same time, the Parliament will not pay the building rent. Stratan noted that the final amount of expenses for organising the Parliament’s work will be established during the use of the Palace of Republic for this purpose. The Parliament will temporarily convene in sittings in the Palace of Republic as long as its building is being restored. (Source: Omega)

With an account of the new Moldovan Parliament’s first plenary sitting scheduled for May 5, the incumbent Government of Moldova, formed in March 2008 by the ruling Communist Party has tendered resignation. At the Cabinet meeting held on Monday, prime minister Zinaida Grechanii addressed the outgoing president Vladimir Voronin, who was present in the room, with words of gratitude for his “constant support of the Government and all its initiatives and activities”. “The Government has managed to orient the country to a long-term development. This goal remains particularly topical in the current period of recession in the world economy. We have very much work awaiting us, but I am sure we will function in the same team spirit, in a spirit of responsibility before the nation, and will be able to withstand challenges, like we did it last 8 years”, said Premier Grechanii. She thanked also all deputy premiers, ministers of government and all employees of central public administration structures for their responsible attitude to their duties. Outgoing President Vladimir Voronin named the resignation “a constitutional act demonstrating the democratic capabilities of the Moldovan state”. He thanked the Government for its work and highlighted “the positive results achieved last 8 years in all spheres of life and all sectors of the national economy”. (Source: Infotag)

Cancellation of political control over the judiciary, ensuring the independence of the Prosecutor General’s Office, de-politicization of the presidential institution of the, resignation of the current administration of the Teleradio-Moldova public company and election of a new administration, establishment of a permanent political conference to facilitate political dialog between the opposition and the authorities — such are the main clauses of the Road Map proposed by civil society for the sake of achieving national reconciliation and the European integration of the Republic of Moldova. Director of the IDIS-Viitorul Institute for Development and Social Initiatives, Dr. Igor Munteanu, told in a press conference that the society cannot remain indifferent to political crisis that broke out after the April 5 parliamentary elections, and is urging the political class to take concrete measures to settle the crisis. The Road Map, undersigned by 20 non-governmental Moldovan organizations, consists of 4 main sections pertaining to ensuring the functioning of democratic institutions, constitutional freedoms and citizens’ rights, initiation of a political dialog and the overcoming of economic crisis. (Source: Infotag)

On May 3, several hundred Moldovan journalists and interested citizens gathered in the square of the National Opera and Ballet Theater for a meeting of protest on World Press Freedom Day. The meeting was organized by the Union of Journalists of Moldova (UJM), the Independent Press Association (API), the Electronic Media Association (APEL), and the Independent Journalism Center (CIJ), whose representatives stated that this year the Day was marked in the conditions of “intimidation of journalists and media outlets following the April 5 parliamentary elections”. UJM Chairman Valeriu Saharneanu said the protest action was convoked to draw the attention of domestic and international public to systematic violations of press freedom in Moldova. Saharneanu said, “The latest annual Freedom House Report shows there is no press freedom in Moldova”. API Executive Director Petru Macovei voiced discontent with journalists who cover events partially and incorrectly and fall under the Communist authorities’ influence. (Source: Infotag)

Violations of human rights, freedom of the media, serious strains and instability — these are some conclusions drawn by the European Parliament’s delegation which visited Chisinau in late April. The report issued by this delegation was discussed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on Monday. On Tuesday, political groups were discussing a resolution which the European Parliament is set to adopt on Thursday, the day when the Eastern Partnership, a form of cooperation between EU and six former Soviet countries including Moldova, will be launched in Prague. EP members have also issued some recommendations. They recommend a deeper EU engagement in Moldova through the European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership. Even more, they recommend an independent investigation commission to investigate the post-election developments in the presence of representatives of the opposition and international experts. This would be essential for the reconciliation process in Moldova. (Source: hotnews.ro)

Dorin Chirtoaca, the deputy chairman of the Liberal Party (PL), will remain in the Chisinau Mayor’s office. On May 4, he announced that renounces the seat of MP won in the April 5 elections. “I will file an application accompanied by the permit of MP and ask that the seat is given to the next person coming on the PL list,” Dorin Chirtoaca said, without giving further explanations. Dorin Chirtoaca was elected as mayor of Chisinau in June 2007 and will hold office until 2011. The MP seat would be given to Boris Vieru. He is 52-year old, philologist by profession and resides in Chisinau, the PL deputy chairwoman and MP in the new Parliament Corina Fusu has told Info-Prim Neo. “It could happen that other persons would also renounce their parliamentary seats and the next persons on the PL list would take their positions,” she said. (Source: Info-Prim Neo)

The National Council of the Social-Political Movement “Actiunea Europeana” (European Action) convened in a sitting on Friday, May 1 and decided to propose the next party congress to modify the MAE Statute. In particular, the movement will embrace the Christian-democratic doctrine after the changes concerned. MAE follows political objectives only to develop the Moldovan society, achieve market economy, strengthen the state based on the rule of law, make justice and achieve the European and Euro-Atlantic integration by promoting the Christian democratic doctrine and implementing the political programme. It will apply to the Christian Democratic International and European People’s Party to join the international and European family of Christian democratic and people’s parties. As well, the MAE National Council decided to exclude Vasile Zgardan, Andrei Covrig, Boris Ciobanu, Ion Handraman from the party for having violated the Statute, seriously breaching the MAE discipline, inclusively by making public statements and taking public actions against decisions made by MAE leading bodies. (Source: MAE communication)