PAG Vice-Speaker on the CC Decision: A Precedent that Allows to Mangle the Law on Gagauzia

In a commentary for the Rupor portal, PAG vice-speaker called the CC verdict a precedent “that allows the authorities to modify the law on Gagauzia based on their current political needs”. He noted that the representatives of Gagauzia had learnt about the consideration of the Prosecutor General’s appeal to the Constitutional Court through the media. “At half past twelve we learnt that the Constitutional Court was considering this appeal without inviting Gagauzia, without giving it the right to present at least its counterarguments, because we strongly disagreed with the position of the Prosecutor General. We immediately prepared an appeal to the CC, a petition to allow us to participate in this case, a power of attorney in my name. We sent everything by e-mail. But the Constitutional Court had already announced the decision without waiting for the representatives of Gagauzia and without providing such an opportunity. The principle of publicity was completely rejected. Why? We can only guess,” Leichu said. The PAG vice-speaker recalled that the mechanism of nominating the Gagauz prosecutor had been operating without interruptions for 30 years. Regardless of the change of ruling parties, there were no complaints about the implementation of this mechanism. The candidate was nominated on the basis of clear criteria established by law: citizenship, language skills, education, experience, patriotism. “In 2016, a new law on the prosecutor’s office was adopted, which establishes the powers of a new institution created in the system of prosecutor’s offices - the Superior Council of Prosecutors. Gagauzia gave up a number of its powers at the insistence and request of our international experts, including the OSCE and the European Commission. The Venice Commission also expressed its opinion on this matter: the provisions of the law on Gagauzia should be taken into account when adopting this law, and these provisions were included in the law on the prosecutor’s office. At the same time, Gagauzia retained the only right to nominate candidates for this position in strict compliance with the criteria of the law”. When asked what actions the People’s Assembly intends to take, Leichu said that discussions are underway, as the CC’s decision came as a complete surprise: “Such actions go beyond not only the Constitution, but also political ethics and common sense. We are well aware that this decision is final, and it is not subject to discussion. We are well aware that there are no other instances that would overturn this decision. But there are political decisions. We very much expect that the parliament and the authorities will realize the malignity of such actions. The PAG vice-speaker stressed that the CC decision is “a precedent that allows the law on Gagauzia to be distorted based on PAS current political needs, aimed at retaining power”.