Promo-LEX expert: New Parliament should prioritize transparency and dialogue with the opposition
Parliamentary democracy extends beyond simple majorities and oppositions; it is founded on genuine dialogue, adherence to procedures, and a collective acceptance of responsibilities. This was highlighted by Nicolae Panfil, the Promo-LEX Association's program director, during an interview with Moldova 1 TV. Panfil also pointed out that there are ongoing delays concerning the sections on "decisional transparency and public communication."
"I think there needs to be more transparency and more public communication about what is happening and what is being discussed at the Standing Bureau. It is that part of the institution that was the least transparent in the last legislature. Maybe the deputies in opposition will also assume the role of going public, especially if they are dissatisfied with certain discussions or decisions. But I think that the leadership of the Parliament must also take steps to ensure better transparency", declared Nicolae Panfil on the set of Moldova 1 TV.
The expert recommended continuing some practices from the previous legislature, such as planning activities and maintaining the biweekly meeting agenda, to avoid ad hoc changes that affected transparency in the past.
Panfil also commented on the decision to appoint only two vice-presidents of Parliament, of which only one is from the opposition, saying that this "political decision" denotes a lack of consensus with the opposition.
"We can look at this aspect also from the perspective of the relationship with the opposition. From the previous Parliament, we know that it was not a very good one; there was not very close communication. I hope that, in this Parliament, the relationship with the opposition will be better. (...) I don't know what was discussed behind the scenes to decide whether there will be two or three vice-presidents, but it may be a small sign that they did not really understand each other", the expert assumed.
In the same interview, the Promo-LEX representative wanted to emphasize the responsibility of the deputies who debate certain sensitive information in the committees.
"Those who will assume these roles of chairmen, vice-chairmen of committees and will have access to state secrets are, first and foremost, citizens of the Republic of Moldova, they must respect the law and sign, as far as we know, certain commitments they have. They are certainly supervised more closely by state institutions, because any movement in these registers, when you have access to certain information, must be documented," he recalled.
In the end, Panfil conditioned the success of the Legislature on the behavior of the PAS majority.
"The opposition should also be co-opted in the adoption of these decisions..., so that every law, every policy adopted is also assumed by broader political and societal groups. (...) I would like the procedures in Parliament to be respected, first of all, because this is where everything starts and the transparency of Parliament's activity is mandatory. It is not a desire of civil society, but of society in general", concluded Nicolae Panfil, on Moldova 1 TV.
The 12th Parliament was officially constituted last week following the validation of the mandates of the deputies elected in the September 28 elections. Igor Grosu was re-elected as Parliament Speaker with Doina Gherman (PAS) and Vlad Batrîncea (PSRM) reconfirmed as Vice-Presidents.
This legislature consists of six parliamentary factions, with the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) holding the majority with 55 mandates. The new structure includes 12 standing committees; seven will be led by the government and five by the opposition. Notably, the Committee for European Integration has been established for the first time in this Legislature.
The Parliament is scheduled to meet on October 31 for a new session in order to invest the Government led by Alexandru Munteanu.
