There are 6 factions established in the Parliament: PAS majority faction consisting of 55 deputies (chaired by Doina Gherman), as well as factions of PSRM (chaired by Igor Dodon) – 17 deputies, PCRM (chaired by Diana Caraman) – 8 deputies, Alternative bloc (chaired by Gaic Vartanian) – 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.
Socialist MP Zinaida Grecianii led the first session, as the most senior Communist MP, Vladimir Voronin, refused this role, noting that “yes, there are traditions, there are regulations, but there is also political dignity.” “Can I, after two presidential mandates and 11 MP mandates to open the session of the newly elected parliament, in which the same grouping got the majority according to the results of “partly free” and “partly democratic” elections with numerous recorded violations, manipulations and falsifications, allow myself to open the first session?”
At the very beginning, President Maia Sandu addressed the deputies. The main message was an appeal 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”.
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”.
Then, the chairmen of the factions were given the floor. Doina Gherman, on behalf of PAS, expressed confidence that the 12th Parliament will 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”.
Diana Karaman 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 “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 the Our Party faction, said that he wants to see a parliament in which both majority and opposition initiatives are supported, and that the faction will support “any well-founded, real projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens.” The faction will also be an opposition faction.
The chairman of the other opposition DA faction, Vasile Kostiuk, expressed hope that the new parliament will have more openness on the part of the majority with 55 mandates in relation to the other factions.
A special commission was set up to elect the speaker of the parliament. There were two candidates – Igor Grosu from PAS and Alexander Stoianoglo from Alternative. The voting was secret. “Our Party” and DA refused to participate in the election procedure. Eighty-seven MPs took part, of whom 55 voted for Grosu and 32 for Stoianoglo. Thus, Igor Grosu was re-elected as president of the parliament.
“We are committed to signing the EU accession treaty until 2028, before the end of President Maia Sandu’s term in office,” the speaker promised.
In continuation of the constituent session, the deputies will have to elect deputy speakers, form the Permanent Bureau and specialized parliamentary commissions. A separate Commission for European Integration will start working in the new convocation, in addition to the eleven already functioning.
