Top court interprets instruction dealing with Moldovan president's powers

Chisinau, 21 December /MOLDPRES/ - The Constitutional Court (CCM) today interpreted some articles of the Constitution following a notification submitted by President Igor Dodon.  

The head of state asked the top court to verify whether the procedure of adoption of the parliament’s decision on the approval of the National Defence Strategy was constitutional. The president demanded that magistrates explain the following aspects: does the parliament have power to adopt documents of policies on national defence in the lack of the agreement by the supreme commander of the Armed Forces and/or of the government? Does the president of Moldova bear personal responsibility for the state’s defence capacity and whether he is competent to approve other measures concerning the national security and defence, which were not included and/or were not approved by the parliament?   

Following the consideration of the notification, the Court established that: in terms of national defence, the parliament has exclusive legislative competence. Also, the adoption of the national defence strategy fits into the parliament’s sphere of competence.   

The Court ruled that Moldova’s president has power to undertake, in terms of national security and defence, only the measures which are provided for and are allowed for him under the law.  

CCM’s ruling is final, cannot be subjected to any appeal and enters into force on the date of adoption.