The CC decided that the “anti-propaganda” law may be signed by the Speaker of the Parliament or the Prime Minister and for the Third Time Temporarily Suspended the Powers of President Dodon

The Constitutional Court (CC) decided to institute an interim replacement for the Moldovan president after Igor Dodon refused to promulgate the “anti-propaganda” law.

The appeal for temporary suspension of powers was filed on December 4 by Democrat MP Sergiu Sirbu, one of the authors of the above law, demanding this issue to be examined urgently.

The CC decided that by refusing to promulgate the “anti-propaganda” law the head of the state violated his constitutional duties and oath. The High Court determined that Dodon had to promulgate the law even if he doubted its constitutionality.

Thus, the CC decided that this law should be promulgated either by the Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu or by Prime Minister Pavel Filip.

Igor Dodon criticized this decision and stated again that this “anti-propaganda” law is “an obvious violation of the freedom of information of Moldovan citizens.” The President, in his turn, appealed to the Court in connection with the constitutionality of this law.

The draft “anti-propaganda” law was voted on December 7 in final reading, but President Dodon refused to promulgate the document and returned it to the Parliament for a second examination. The MPs voted again for the adoption of the draft and forwarded it back to the president. In accordance with the legislation, the president is obliged to sign a law if it is forwarded repeatedly.