Moldova and Romania "must have a close relationship"

The elected President of the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti, said at Radio Chişinău that the relationship with Romania must be close because ’the root of our relationship is based on a special history, a common culture, we have so much in common.’

According to Nicolae Timofti, political, economical, cultural cooperation initiatives, which were launched in Chisinau and Bucharest, will be supported in its mandate.

The first President who congratulated him for his choice as president was Traian Basescu, also mentioned Nicolae Timofti in the interview for Radio Chisinau.

The President of Moldova said that the first external official visit that he wants to do is to Brussels.

Referring to the European integration of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti said that only common with the parliament, government and the president can persuade people that is the right way to go.

’I am therefore convinced that we will succeed, not me by myself. And I have said that in Moldova, which is a parliamentary republic, the country is led by three powers: the parliament, government and president. And only together we will work in this direction, to convince people that this way is the right choice at the moment and in the future.’said Nicolae Timofti.

This is the first interview Timofti Nicolae gives as the elected president, on a broadcasting institution.

Nicolae Timofti is the fourth elected President of the Republic of Moldova and was placed in his post after a political crisis for nearly three years, during which Chişinău deputies failed to elect a President.

So far Nicolae Timofti served as president of the Superior Council of Magistracy, informs Radio Chisinau.

He was elected head of state by a vote of 62 deputies, while the minimum required is at least 61 votes from a total of 101.

For Nicolae Timofti voted 58 deputies of the Alliance for European Integration, three Socialist deputies and the unaffiliated deputy Mihai Godea.

Communist Party boycotted the presidential election.

The new president will sworn in no later than 45 days after the election.

On 3 September 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova decided Mircea Snegur to be elected the president of Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova.

On 23 May 1991, the state name Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova was changed to Republic of Moldavia.

Snegur was president between 1990-1996.

Between 1996-2001, was elected Petru Lucinschi while Vladimir Voronin served as president for two terms between 2001 and 2009 according to the official internet page of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova.

From 11 September 2009 until the election of Nicholas Timofti interim president of the Republic of Moldova was owned by Mihai Ghimpu Vlad Filat and Marian Lupu.

The evolution of the political crisis in Moldova in 2009 until now

5 April 2009 - Moldovan citizens vote in legislative elections, held on time.

7 April 2009 - Many Moldovan citizens get out in the streets before announcing the results, to protest against the Communists Party. The contesting movement in Moldova is known in the international press as "Twitter Revolution"

8 April 2009 - The Communist Party obtained 49.48 percent of the vote and 60 seats out of 101 in the Parliament, a situation which allows the election of a government but not the president, for which still needs a vote

10 April 2009 - Vladimir Voronin accused Romania of involvement in the protests of 7 April

3 June 2009 - A further unsuccessful attempt for presidential election

16 June 2009 - The dissolution of parliament and early elections convocation. Marian Lupu, one of the key members of the Communist Party, withdraws from the party

29 July 2009 - The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Liberal Party (PL), the Democratic Party (PDM) and Our Moldova Alliance (AMN) signs the constitution of the ruling coalition ’The Alliance for European Integration’.

8 August 2009 - Early parliamentary elections, after which The Communist Party lost 12 seats (gain 48 seats). The other parties entered into the Parliament, the Liberal Party (PL), the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM), the Democratic Party (PDM, led by Marian Lupu) and Our Moldova Alliance (AMN) obtained only 53 seats, eight less than required to elect the president.

September 2009 - After negotiations, the parties of the Alliance redistribute their main functions in the state. Therefore, Ghimpu is elected president of the Parliament and perform the duties of the country's interim president, Vlad Filat is endowed Prime Minister (25 September), while Marian Lupu is supported as president.

16 March 2010 - The Constitutional Court decided that the Parliament should be dissolved after 16 June, because this measure can not be applied twice a year.

5 September 2010 - The referendum on changing the way the presidential election are. Although 87.8 percent of voters voted in favor of presidential elections by direct vote, the referendum has not been validated, the participation rate was only 29.05 percent
28 November 2010

Early legislative elections, the third vote in the last year and a half. PLDM, Democratic Party and Liberal Party obtained with 59 seats, and the Communist Party 42. Our Moldova Alliance fails to enter the parliament in May.

December 2010 - Negotiations within the Alliance, after which is vested Vlad Filat as prime minister and Marian Lupu is elected as Speaker of Parliament, acting as Interim president.

20 October 2011 - Parliament set for November 18 the date to elect a president.

15 November 2011 - Enrollment period ends without recording any candidate at the presidential race.

25 November 2011 - Changing election procedure of the president, to organize a vote is considered valid only if they attend 61 deputates out of 101.

2 December 2011 - Parliament sets a new date for presidential election on 16 December.

14 December 2011 - Deadline for applications and Marian Lupu joined the race as the only one.

16 December 2011 - Parliament fails to elect president. 62 deputies voted, but Marian Lupu received only 58 votes are needed 61 votes.

28 December 2011 - Marian Lupu announced that would no longer run for president of the republic. Parliament set to vote next presidential election on 15 January.

12 January 2012 - The Constitutional Court of Moldova cancel the December 16 presidential elections, saying they were unconstitutional. The elections provided in 15 January will not take place.

28 February 2012 - The former President Vladimir Voronin said that he will not run for president of the Republic of Moldova or other position in State.

7 March 2012 - The parliament approves a project which states that the vote for designation for the President of Moldova will take place on 16 March.

12 March 2012 - Alliance for European Integration (AIE) officially announced that Nicolae Timofti will candidate for President of the Republic of Moldova.


Source: Mediafax

Translated by Ioana Vioreanu
MTTLC, Bucharest University