Moldovan PM describes Socialists' initiative to hold referendum as mistake

Chisinau, 25 January /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Pavel Filip described as a false topic the statement made by President Igor Dodon on a possible referendum, initiated by the Socialists, as regards the law on public debt.

Filip’s reaction comes in the context of statements made by Dodon on 24 January, who noted he initiated several legislative initiatives, including as regards the theft in the banking system and organization of a referendum related to cancel the law on public debt.

Filip wrote on a social network that the article No 147 of the Election Code stipulated that the tax and budget issues could not be subject to republican referendum. “Even if such a referendum would have been legally, anyway it does not make sense, as this law cannot be canceled, because it has produced legal effect and is consumed. However, the law is part of the package which was the basis for signing the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, and the review of this mechanism would put into question the continuation of the agreement”, he said.

Also, the premier pointed out that citizens would not be obliged to pay the money, for reasons that the amount of public debt is already partially recovered and is to be fully regained. “Under these circumstances, I believe the initiative to hold a referendum on the matter, which would require huge expenses of the state budget, is a mistake and the only effect of such action could be that the Party of Socialists to find pretext to do election campaign on public money”, Filip concluded.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor L. Alcază)