Moldovan Socialists opposed to Democrat's initiative to restrict Russian TV broadcasts
CHISINAU. June 13 (Interfax) - The pro-presidential Socialist Party has said it is categorically opposed to the attempt of the Democratic Party and its satellites to ban the transmission of Russian news and analytical TV broadcasts in Moldova.
"Such attempts have already been made in the recent past but they were foiled under pressure from Moldova's progressive forces and the international public," a Socialist Party statement received by Interfax on Tuesday says.
"Today the Democratic Party in agreement with its overseas tutors is once again trying to push through this law, crudely trampling on the principles of the freedom of speech and right to information inscribed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Constitution of Moldova and other legal acts," the statement says.
Socialists believe that the Democratic Party and the parliamentary majority it controls "are once again undermining the process of restoration of strategic partnership with the Russian Federation that has been successfully unfolding during the past half year thanks to the efforts of Moldovan President Igor Dodon."
"The adoption of the law threatens to lead to another round of instability in the country. The Socialist Party faction will resist the adoption of this anti-popular, anti-constitutional, anti-democratic bill in every lawful way," the statement says.
Socialists urged the nation "to unite around the popularly elected President Igor Dodon, who consistently advocates the rights and liberties of the citizens of Moldova and is restoring our country's partnership with the Russian Federation."
"By coming up with this initiative, the incumbent parliamentary majority has lost the remnants of legitimacy. We continue to insist on holding early parliamentary elections that should take place at the earliest possible time," the document says.
On Tuesday the Democratic Party registered a legislative initiative for "combating Russian propaganda." The bill implies a ban on the transmission of news, current events shows and military programs produced in countries that have not ratified the convention on cross-border television.
Dodon declared that he will not permit enforcement of the bill.