Moldovan Liberal-Democrats ready to set up coalition only after speaker's resignation, appointment of non-partisan PM
CHISINAU. Nov 18 (Interfax) - The Liberal-Democratic Party of Moldova (LDPM) has voiced the terms on which it can take part in negotiations on setting up a new ruling coalition.
"The LDPM favors parliamentary Chairman Andrian Candu's resignation, as he represents the Democratic Party, which has provoked the current political crisis. We also demand the appointment of a non-partisan prime minister. And the LDPM's third term is the bringing of legal institutions from under partisan-oligarchic subordination. Everything must be by law and without agreements on the setting up of alliances distributing agencies among parties," acting LDMP leader Valeriu Strelet said at a news briefing.
"We cannot join a new coalition with our eyes closed and be involved in forming a government together with those who betrayed us, betrayed the European integration idea and passed a vote of no confidence in their own government," Strelet said.
"We are tired of hearing that a new pro-European coalition cannot be set up because of the LDPM's position. Everybody knows that responsibility for the ongoing political crisis rests with the Democratic Party, which sided with the opposition in voting for the government's dismissal," Strelet said.
He ruled out the establishment of a new government on the previous conditions in the current situation and made it clear that the LDPM's terms were addressed primarily to the Democratic Party.
"It is only after the three terms are met that the Liberal-Democrats can join the forming of a parliamentary majority and the endorsement of a new government," Strelet said.
The Democratic Party members supported the Socialists and Communists in passing a vote of no confidence in the government led by Strelet on October 29.
This happened two weeks after LDPM leader and former Prime Minister Vlad Filat had been arrested on corruption and abuse of office charges.
The government's dismissal led to the breakup of the ruling Alliance for European Integration-3, which included the Liberal-Democrats, Democrats, and Liberals.
The Democratic Party, which has come to the foreground in Moldovan politics due to the crisis in the LDPM, has declared its determination to form a new pro-European coalition and endorse a new government within two weeks.
The Democrats have started consultations with parliamentarians from the Liberal Party, the European Popular Platform, and independents, while the LDPM is not involved in the negotiations. The Liberal Party and the European Popular Platform refused to form a coalition with the Communists due to fundamental disagreements. The Party of Socialists said its members would vote only for resignations, seeking the parliament's dissolution and early elections.
