Several opposition parties in Moldova have requested an urgent meeting with Western diplomats to discuss the controversial so-called “von Hebel amendment.”
Five opposition groups — the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), the Alternativa Bloc, Our Party (Moldova), and the Democracy at Home Party — signed a joint appeal calling for talks with the ambassadors of the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Lithuania, as well as the UN resident coordinator and the head of the Council of Europe office in Chișinău.
The parties are asking diplomats to intervene in the situation surrounding the recently adopted amendment that lowers the voting threshold required to appoint members of the judicial vetting commission.
“We believe these actions undermine trust in the reform process, and we want to discuss the current situation with our external partners,” said Igor Dodon, leader of the Socialists.
The controversy surrounding the so-called “von Hebel amendment” continues to grow. The measure has already faced criticism from officials within the European Commission, and diplomats are now expected to weigh in as well.
At the same time, the Constitutional Court of Moldova has announced that it will examine the constitutionality of the disputed amendment only after it receives an opinion from the Venice Commission.
