CHISINAU -- Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has rejected a suggestion from EU ambassadors to change the country's election law so that smaller parties could perhaps make it into parliament, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.
Under the current law, a party must win at least 6 percent of the vote to be represented in parliament, and parties cannot form alliances before the elections. Several pro-Western opposition groups have complained that these rules are directed at them.
In a letter to Moldova's government last week, ambassadors from EU countries said those rules should be eased. Voronin said on December 3 that there is no need to lower the election threshold and he added that in other countries, such as Russia and Turkey, the threshold for entering parliament is even higher.
Moldova will hold a general election next spring.
Under the current law, a party must win at least 6 percent of the vote to be represented in parliament, and parties cannot form alliances before the elections. Several pro-Western opposition groups have complained that these rules are directed at them.
In a letter to Moldova's government last week, ambassadors from EU countries said those rules should be eased. Voronin said on December 3 that there is no need to lower the election threshold and he added that in other countries, such as Russia and Turkey, the threshold for entering parliament is even higher.
Moldova will hold a general election next spring.
