Moldova's Action and Solidarity Party to have eight new lawmakers in parliament; Constitutional Court validates mandates

The parliamentary faction of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) will have eight new MPs. The seats will be occupied by Igor Talmazan, Angela Munteanu-Pojoga, Veronica Cupcea, Veronica Briceag, Liliana Grosu, Alexandr Trubca, Gheorghe Ichim, and Valeriu Cartin. Their mandates were validated today by the Constitutional Court, which examined the notification submitted by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC).

The decision was taken, after eight PAS deputies had submitted their resignations on October 31. It is about Dan Perciun, Emil Ceban, Nicolae Popescu, Mihail Popsoi, Ludmila Catlabuga, Vladimir Bolea, Dorin Recean and Artur Mija.

Based on the parliament's decision, the Central Electoral Commission acknowledged the vacancy of eight lawmaker mandates and proposed to the Constitutional Court to validate the parliamentary mandates for the substitute candidates.

“CEC requested information from the Ministry of Justice, the Interior Ministry, and the National Integrity Authority on whether the concerned individuals have any restrictions on holding public offices or positions of public dignity. Having the information on the absence of restrictions confirmed, CEC adopted the decision proposing the High Court declare elected and validate the deputy mandates for the eight substitute candidates on the PAS list,” said CEC President Angelica Caraman at the Constitutional Court’s meeting.

Seven of the eight substitute candidates for the MP position were present at the Court session and expressed their consent to assume the office of lawmaker. Moreover, they declared no incompatibilities for assuming the deputy position, or in case of any, they assured their removal within 30 days. The decision was approved in the absence of Gheorghe Ichim.

After the announcement of the decision on the mandates’ validation, President of the Constitutional Court Domnica Manole said that this decision was final, cannot be appealed, comes into force upon adoption, and would be published in the Official Journal of Moldova.

“Congratulations, dear MPs. We wish you success and to remember that you are representatives of the people and have the obligation to serve the people of the Republic of Moldova,” said Domnica Manole.

Following the elections on September 28, five political formations surpassed the electoral threshold: the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) with 55 mandates; the Patriotic Bloc with 26 mandates; the Alternative Bloc with 8 mandates; Our Party with 6 mandates; and the Democracy at Home Party with 6 mandates. The parliament’s constitutive meeting was held on October 22 and continued on October 30, with the setting up of the parliamentary factions, election of the speaker and deputy speakers of the legislature and the establishment of its working bodies.