Moldovan parliamentary election, July 2009

• PCRM: 48
• PDM: 13
• AMN: 7
• PL: 15
• PLDM: 18

The parliamentary elections in Moldova in July 2009 took place on July 29, 2009. It was the second parliamentary election in Moldova in 2009 after the election on April 5.

• 6.1 forecast
• 6.2 Official final result
• 6.3 Elected representatives

Prehistory

After the elections of 5 April 2009, no presidential candidate could combine the necessary three-fifths majority on in the Moldovan Parliament. According to the Moldovan Constitution incumbent Vladimir Voronin was thus forced to dissolve parliament and to organize new elections. The opposition parties had the ruling Communists accused of election fraud and boycotted the election of the new head of state in parliament.

Changes to the electoral law

Prior to the election, the election law was amended by a vote of the Communist Party. Parliamentary elections are now already valid if at least one third of the electorate cast their vote. To date, an interest of 50 % was necessary. In addition, the restrictive clause of six was reduced to five percent.

Mood in advance

Role of unrest

Moldovan political analysts went ahead on the assumption that the evaluation of the riots and the behavior of the opposition after the elections in April could have great influence on the voting decisions of the population. A survey of early July 2009, according to believed, almost half of Moldovans that the ruling communists or the incumbent President Voronin had benefited from the riots, only about 13 percent of the respondents felt that the situation had availed the opposition parties. In the same survey, more than 70 percent were in favor of joining the EU Moldova, joining NATO supported only 25 percent.

Allegations against the opposition

The Communist Party is a big opponent of union with Romania and describes itself as the only guarantor of Moldovan independence, to which it would go in this election.

Foreign policy orientation specific campaign

Although the Communists had also spoken out in the past for a rapprochement with the European Union, they were placed in the election campaign with a narrower binding to Russia in connection while the opposition parties stood for a clear westerly course. In the last weeks before the election, they moved because even more to the side of Russia, the Communist government promised financial assistance in the amount of 500 million U.S. dollars.

Pollsters expected tight election

The survey Barometrul de Opinie Publica, which was released on July 20, showed slight losses for the ruling communists, who would thus remain at just over 50 seats in Parliament, but the strongest force with an absolute parliamentary majority. Within the opposition, which would reach almost half of the seats, which previously represented in Parliament Alianta Moldova noastra would fail because of the restrictive clause. The Partidul Democrat din Moldova delay, therefore, as a new force in parliament. Pollsters also held a narrow majority of votes of the opposition possible.

Paging the President of Parliament

Surprisingly, explained the senior member of the Communist Party, Marian Lupu, in July his party outlet and joined the ranks of the opposition. A short time later, the former parliamentary speaker has been elected as the new Chairman of the Democrat din Moldova Partidul.

An incoming lists

The already approved lists Partidul Naţional Liberal ( German National Liberal Party ) and Mişcarea social politica " Actiunea Europeana ' (social - political movement " European Action " ) told a week before the election cancellation of its participation.

(Updated: July 22, 2009)

Expiry of election and counting of votes

Polling stations opened at 7:00 clock EEST (6.00 clock CEST) and closed at 21.00 clock EEST (20.00 CEST clock ). The number of voters was about 2.6 million. A total of 3,000 foreign election observers monitored the ballot. Ahead there was a conflict at eleven Georgian election observers who have been refused entry. The authorities said that the Georgians were " dangerous" for Moldova. The Moldovan government apparently feared an adverse influence on the internal political situation by Georgia, which applies oriented under President Saakashvili as decidedly Western and anti-Russian.

The election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE ) said on July 30 that the elections would have complied with international standards and were well organized. Criticism has been leveled at the media, which had driven by their subjective commitment, the polarization of society in advance of the election. Previously posted by the Commonwealth of Independent States observers had stated that they had seen no irregularities.

While most opposition parties - as opposed to the election in April 2009 - accepted the result, saying the Christian Democratic PPCD by numerous irregularities and demanded a recount of the votes. However, this was rejected by the Moldovan Constitutional Court on 4 August.

Election result

Forecast

One of several political science and demoscopic institutes jointly undertaken by-election survey yielded the following prediction:

Official final result

As a result of significant losses of the PCRM and PDM of the advent of the new parliament has the previous opposition holds the majority of seats. It is believed that the PDM has gained with the inclusion of the former Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu many voices former, more Western -oriented voters of the PCRM.

Elected representatives

• List of PCRM

• List of PLDM

• List of PL

• List of PDM

• List of AMN

Government formation

Even on election night declared the four represented in the new parliament, former opposition parties ( PLDM, PL, PDM and AMN ) announced their intention to jointly form a governing coalition. Although they have over the majority of seats, they are dependent on the achievement of the necessary for the election of the new President three-fifths majority on votes from the ranks of the Communists.

Communist leader Voronin had already declared that his party always stood for a grand coalition of as many parties are available to overcome the political divisions of the country. The Communists are the only group that is not dispensable for the election of a new president in the new parliament. Once it became clear that the other parties took concrete steps to form a government without the Communists, they declared their willingness to "hard opposition." Voronin explained later, however, his party was ready to agree with the other parties on the election of the new President. In return, the Communists claim the post of President of Parliament for yourself. A re- election Voronin in this office but want to prevent the parties in the new coalition.

On August 8, 2009, party leader of PLDM, PL, PDM and AMN announced their agreement on a coalition government, which will be under the slogan "For a European integration". As a main foreign policy objectives of the proposed government integration of Moldova into the European Union, the restoration of good relations with the neighboring countries of Romania and Ukraine, as well as a "strategic partnership" with Russia have been specified. An accession of Moldova to NATO would not be sought, but the collaboration of these should be deepened, for example within the framework of Partnership for Peace. Moldova should maintain its neutrality enshrined in the Constitution. Domestically, the four parties following objectives translated: Restoration of the rule of law in Moldova, overcoming social and economic crisis and achieve economic growth, decentralization of state power structures and ensuring regional autonomy as well as restoration of the territorial integrity of Moldova (solution of the Transnistria issue ). Personnel issues were not discussed up to this point. However, the parties stressed their commitment to dialogue with the Communists over the election of the president. According to newspaper reports the DPM Chairman Marian Lupu will compete as a presidential candidate. Lupu joined only a few weeks earlier by the Communists for DPM and might be easier than other opposition politicians win the approval Communist MP for itself. Prime Minister is the Chairman PLDM Vlad Filat be.

For attention, especially in Russia made ​​a statement on 20 August Vlad Filats who explained the intended coalition government would hold a referendum on Moldova's accession to NATO in a few years. Observers expect a deterioration of the Moldovan -Russian relations in the event that Moldova aspires to join NATO. Moscow opposes the eastward expansion of NATO and especially the integration of former Soviet republics in the North Atlantic defense alliance decisively.

Inaugural meeting and election of the Parliament Bureau

The date for the inaugural meeting of the new Parliament first August 28, 2009 was named as a possible date for the election of a new President of the September 10. On August 28, the newly elected parliament met for the first time. In this case, a sharp contrast between the Communists ( PCRM ) and the parties represented in parliament remaining was clear. So initially could not agree on an agenda you look. The Communists requested a multi-day suspension of the sitting. The Communist President Ivan Calin age then declared the adjournment of the meeting on the 4th of September. The deputies of the PCRM left so the hall. The rest of the House, the meeting continued, however, and elected the leader of the Liberal Partidul, Mihai Ghimpu, as the new President of Parliament. The Communists protested sharply against the of them regarded as a breach of the law approach the other parties. The PCRM deputy Vadim Mizin told a parliament that begin its work with a fraction of the laws, has no future except his imminent failure. On 1 September 2009, the PCRM asked the Constitutional Court to review the election of the Speaker of Parliament on their conformity with the Moldovan Constitution. Challenging the election failed on September 8, as the Constitutional Court judges could not agree on a majority decision. Three judges saw the election of the Speaker of Parliament to be unconstitutional, as three judges held the opposite opinion. Mihai Ghimpu remains in office. The Communists announced on September 9, not wanting to support a proposed by the other parliamentary parties and presidential candidates presented this as a direct consequence of the events of the inaugural session of parliament dar.

On 10 September, the Parliament met again. Against the opposition of the Communists was decided the number of Parliament Vice President from two to four to increase, so that each group sends a representative to the steering committee in the future. For the first Vice President of the Moldovan Parliament then the chairman of the Alianta Moldova noastra, Serafim Urechean was chosen more Committee members were Iurie Tap ( PLDM ) and Marcel Răducan (PDM ). The Communists refrained from first on a candidate for the office of Vice- President to propose fourth.

Failure of the election of the president

The political mood of konstitutierenden parliamentary session, showed signs of a renewed failure of the election of the president by parliament. The Moldovan Constitution provides for election of the Parliament in this case. Because failed on a parliamentary session on 10 November, the candidate of the ruling coalition, Marian Lupu, as a candidate for the office of head of state because all the members of the Communist Party refused their consent. In view of this, the governing parties and instrumental Parliament President Mihai Ghimpu sought a constitutional amendment. Possible options for both a change in the voting system in the election of the head of state in parliament as well as the return to a direct election of the president by the citizens entitled to vote were called. A decision ultimately did not materialize. A re- election of the Parliament was announced for autumn 2010, and finally took place on November 28th of the year.