20/10/2024
On 20 October, two key electoral events will take place simultaneously in the Republic of Moldova: the presidential election and a constitutional referendum on the country’s integration into the European Union (EU). A delegation of the Venice Commission, including Ms Veronika Bílková, Vice-President of the Venice Commission and member in respect of Czechia, will be providing legal support to the observer delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Moldovan citizens will be called to vote on two significant matters. First, they will elect their next President, who will serve a four-year term. Second, they will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to revise the preamble of the Constitution. This amendment would confirm the European identity of Moldova’s people, affirm the irreversibility of the country’s European path, and establish EU integration as a strategic objective. The proposal also introduces a new chapter with two articles empowering the parliament to pass organic laws for accession to the EU’s founding agreements and recognising the primacy of EU law over national legislation.
The Venice Commission has issued several opinions on Moldova’s electoral framework, most recently on the new Electoral Code and a pilot initiative on postal voting. Joint opinions have also been adopted on the 2023 amendments to the Electoral Code regarding the ineligibility of individuals linked to political parties declared unconstitutional as well as a joint amicus curiae brief for the Constitutional Court. In preparation for these electoral events, the Venice Commission, in collaboration with the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Moldova, co-organised a webinar focusing on campaign financing and media coverage of the election and referendum. The webinar attracted over 70 participants, including representatives from the CEC and district electoral councils.