Moldovan president demands shortening of term of considering files on political corruption

Chisinau, 11 November /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu demands the shortening of the term for considering the files on political corruption. In this respect, the government and parliament are to come up with a concrete plan, in order to ensure the priority examination of these causes. The head of state today made statements to this effect, following a meeting of the Supreme Security Council (CSS).   

Maia Sandu referred to the attack on the democracy of Moldova during the presidential elections and the referendum.   

„We saw how crime rings attempted to replace the will of Moldova’s citizens. Through purchasing of votes, they tried to influence important decisions for Moldova and its citizens. Thus, we discussed with the competent institutions, especially the institutions which represent the justice, about the fact that this crime ring had been dealing with political corruption for at least 10 years. We see different forms of political corruption, beginning with the illegal financing of parties, illegal financing of electoral campaigns and in the last years we have also seen purchasings of votes.  I want to remind you that we saw the first example at the elections in the Autonomous Territorial Unit (UTA) of Gagauzia; afterwards, at the elections from the last year. We have not seen firm and sufficient actions on behalf of the justice bodies, in order to sanction these illegal actions,’’ Maia Sandu said.        

The head of state noted that the participants in the CSS meeting had discussed the things which are to be carried out in the next weeks and months, so that Moldova can ensure the observance of the citizens’ vote.

„We discussed actions which are to prioritize the consideration of political corruption cases both by the prosecutor’s office and law courts. We know that there are more files, but their examination lasts. Namely therefore, it is necessary that the decision-makers make amendments including in terms of legislation, which is to shorten the term of examination for political corruption cases, especially for cases of purchasing votes. In this respect, the government, along with the parliament, along with other institutions on the next several days are to come up with a concrete plan, in order to ensure the priority consideration of these causes and respectively, the shortening of the terms, so that we do not have situations in which the examination of these cases is postponed for many years and, respectively, their perpetuation,’’ Maia Sandu said.      

The Moldovan president stressed that, to improve the situation, it was quite important to set up the Anticorruption Court. At the same time, the official pointed out that the changes made at the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office (PA) ‘’have not yielded results.’’  

„We need institutions where there are correct and honest people and you saw that some of the corrupt judges had been already eliminated from the system and it is important that we continue this process of institutional reforms. We discussed again the need to adopt the law on the setting up of the Anticorruption Court in the final reading. The parliament this week is to have public consultations on this law, so that we have clear-cut transparent and especially efficient processes, in order to create a strong anticorruption court, which is to deal especially with the big corruption cases, including cases of political corruption and we should recognize that the changes which we had made at the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office did not yield results.  The suggestion of CSS to the government was to come up with a new proposal, in order to change the situation at the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, as we have seen a full failure on behalf of PA in the fight against the big corruption and especially in the fight with the political corruption. The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office must be an efficient institution which manages to combat the big corruption,’’ Maia Sandu said.         

Also, the Moldovan head of state informed that, in the end of this week, she would invite to the Presidency representatives of political parties, as well as representatives of other categories from the civil society, in order to have discussions on the actions needed to be undertaken to combat the political corruption.      

„ I want to remind you that what happened at these elections did not hit one political party or one candidate. More political parties are affected by the buyings of votes and all of us want Moldova’s citizens to decide on who must lead the country and not the dirty money which comes from one of another part. At these discussions, we will hold debates on the proposal by the government, as well as on the proposals of other political parties on this subject. It is important that we establish how we will be able to sanction and eliminate this extremely dangerous phenomenon for the democracy of Moldova, as well as for our country’s security. We continue the discussions; in 10 days at the most, we must have all plans discussed, elaborated and we should have consensus nationally on these actions, which you must undertake,’’ Maia Sandu said.        

President Maia Sandu today summoned the Supreme Security Council to a meeting. The participants in the event discussed the issue of political corruption and the need to speed up and optimize the measures of its combating.