Moldovan president says won't sign bill banning Russian TV programs if parliamentary coalition passes it
CHISINAU. June 13 (Interfax) - Moldovan President Igor Dodon said he would oppose the ruling coalition's attempts to ban broadcasts of Russian news and analytical programs.
"The authorities are trying once again to ban broadcasts of Russian news and analytical programs. This is being done to start brainwashing the voters a year before elections, so as to make them less pro-Russian and more pro-European. This is the Democratic Party's attempt to save its rating. They will fail. We will do whatever we can to prevent this legislation from being adopted and taking effect," Dodon said on the NTV-Moldova television channel on Tuesday evening.
He vowed that, if the parliament passes the legislation, he would not sign it into law.
"The constitution stipulates that, if the president does not promulgate a bill, the parliament can vote for its passage once again. In this case, the president would be obliged to promulgate it. But I won't do so. In this case, the ruling coalition has two ways: either abandon the legislation or start an impeachment procedure against the president via a nationwide referendum. I am prepared for this, and I know the people will support me," he said.
"Any attempt to ban anything can backfire," he said.
"This is what weak politicians and weak parties do. We will oppose them till the end, and we will do our utmost to counteract the adoption of this law," he said.
Dodon recalled that the acted the same way in relation to the bill on declaring May 9 Day of Europe.
"I am categorically against this legislation. I didn't promulgate it, and I am not going to do so," he said.
As well as with the expulsion of Russian diplomats recently, Dodon said he planned to discuss the problem with the Russian leadership.
"I am flying to Azerbaijan on an official visit via Moscow next week. Perhaps I'll stay in Moscow for a day to discuss this issue as well," he said.
Interfax had reported earlier that the Moldovan Democratic Party had registered a bill on 'countering Russian propaganda' on Tuesday. The legislation bans the broadcasts of news, political-analytical, and military programs produced in countries that have not ratified the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.
