President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu
Maia Sandu outlined the following priorities: successful completion of the justice reform; modernization, which in the near future should include territorial-administrative reform; working more intensively with the new government to stimulate the economy, create jobs and increase family income; agricultural development with a focus on addressing water supply as a national priority; continuing the reforestation program; encouraging the return home of citizens working abroad; ensuring the return of citizens working abroad; and ensuring that the new government is able to meet the needs of its citizens.
But the main message was a call to speed up Moldova’s movement towards EU membership: “I appeal to you to contribute to the harmonization of the national legislation with the European one and to undertake to adopt the necessary normative acts at an accelerated pace, so that the Treaty of Accession to the European Union could be signed during the current convocation of the Parliament”.
As political observers aptly noted, the president’s speech was like a “homework assignment” for the parliamentary majority.
And the President of the Constitutional Court Domnica Manole in her speech emphasized the role of the new Parliament in promoting the European vector: “The mission you have been entrusted with is a matter of great honor and responsibility. The Constitutional Court expresses confidence that the activity of the 12th Parliament will reflect the aspirations of the people, the spirit of the Constitution and the European values of the Republic of Moldova”.
“We are committed to signing the EU accession treaty by 2028, before the end of President Maia Sandu’s term in office,” Igor Grosu, who was re-elected with 55 votes of PAS MPs, promised.
And hence the main conclusion from the first session: the parliamentary majority will continue to “bulldoze” the course towards European integration. Its arsenal includes high discipline of the faction and full adherence to the line of the decision-making center.
The second conclusion: it is unlikely to expect special constructivism and desire for dialog in the new parliament. As the discussions progressed, it became increasingly obvious that the chances for compromise would be extremely vague if intonations of categorical, even insulting superiority and disdain continue to sound from the presidium of the legislative body.
It turns out that one point from the president’s “homework” was not heard: “Peace is not only to be protected from war, but also to live in good harmony with each other here at home – regardless of what language we speak, what ethnic community we belong to, what church we go to, or what our political preferences are”.
Almost half of the members of the 12th Parliament are elected for the first time. The first session began with a slight fuss and organizational confusion. If earlier there were actually only two factions sitting in the hall, and the management of processes in the Secretariat was well-oiled, now there were six, each with its own style, rhetoric and ambitions. Deputies were confused in their placement, looking for their seats. And there was something in this chaos reminiscent of the excitingly solemn atmosphere of September 1. And the “bell” rang – the anthem was played – five minutes late.
There are six factions in the XIIth Parliament: PAS majority faction consisting of 55 deputies (chaired by Doina German), as well as factions of PSRM (chaired by Igor Dodon) – 17 deputies, PCRM (chaired by Diana Caraman) – 8 deputies, Alternative bloc (chaired by Gaic Vartanyan) – 8 deputies, Our Party (chaired by Renato Usatii) – 6 deputies and Democrația Acasă (DA) party (chaired by Vasile Costiuc) – 6 deputies. Vasile Tarlev, leader of the Future of Moldova party, who entered Parliament on the Patriotic Bloc list, declared that he would be an independent deputy.
The leaders of the factions outlined their position in the new parliament.
Doina Herman, on behalf of PAS, expressed confidence that the XII Parliament would become “a parliament of accession to the European Union”.
Igor Dodon said that PSRM will be “a tough, critical, but professional and responsible opposition force, with concrete proposals to improve the lives of citizens.” Accidentally or not, former Prime Minister Dorin Recean left the meeting room during the PSRM president’s speech and returned exactly at the end of it. It looked like a demonstrative exit and it seemed that every step he took beat back the rhyme of the lines: “To me every sound torments my hearing…”.
Diana Caraman said that PCRM “does not recognize the legitimacy of a government built on lies and will fight for justice by all legal means”.
Ion Ceban from “Alternative” announced that the faction would represent “the real opposition” in Parliament and that “Europe should be built at home, every day – not through leaflets, but through concrete actions for the citizens of our country”.
Renato Usatii, chairman of Our Party, stated that he wished to see a parliament in which both majority and opposition initiatives would be supported, and that the faction would support “any well-founded, real projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens.”
DA leader Vasile Kostiuc expressed hope that the new parliament would have more openness on the part of the majority towards the other factions and regretted that the ambassadors left the meeting immediately after the president’s speech. In a conversation with journalists, he also complained that the faction had not been given the most conveniently located office and even threatened that he would hold audiences with citizens right in the hall.
