PAS Unveiled a New Parliamentary Code: It Covers Defections and the Duration of Debates

MPs who leave a parliamentary group will become independents and will no longer be able to join other groups or form new ones. Furthermore, the time allocated for speeches during plenary sessions will be reduced for both MPs and parliamentary groups. These changes are proposed in the draft Code on the Organization and Functioning of Parliament, submitted by MPs from the Action and Solidarity Party, reports ipn.md. During a press briefing, Vasile Gradinaru, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Legal Committee on Appointments and Immunities, stated that the duration of speeches during plenary sessions would be reduced: from 7 to 5 minutes for political groups and from 5 to 3 minutes for MPs. Debates will also be limited to the topic under discussion, and their total duration will generally be 60 minutes, with the possibility of extension. The draft’s authors emphasize that the proposed measures are also intended to prevent MPs from switching from one party to another. Thus, MPs who leave a parliamentary group will be able to continue their mandate as independents, but will not be able to form new groups, except for those formed on the basis of the same party. The document also provides for the establishment of a “Government Hour”, to be held at least once a month, when a minister will be invited to Parliament to answer questions from MPs. At the same time, an “Opposition Day” is being introduced, dedicated to the consideration of legislative initiatives proposed by opposition parties. According to PAS MPs, the draft will be put out for public consultation, including with the participation of extra-parliamentary parties and civil society.