Accessibility links

Breaking News

New Moldovan Parliament Scraps Ban On Dual Citizenship


CHISINAU -- Moldova's new parliament has reversed a two-year-old law that forbade public servants, including politicians, from having dual citizenship, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.

The Communist Party-inspired law from 2007 was largely directed against members of the pro-Romanian opposition and has been contested by several politicians at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The reversal of the ban was the first major decision made by Moldova's new leaders -- an alliance of four pro-European parties that together won a majority in the July 29 election.

About one-fifth of the members of Moldova's new 101-seat parliament have a Romanian passport.

Under Romanian law, Moldovans of Romanian descent can "reclaim" their Romanian citizenship because their parents or grandparents are said to have lost it against their will, when the Soviets annexed Moldova at the start of World War II.

Moldova's new ruling coalition has promised to move fast in restoring ties with EU-member Romania after many years of tensions during the eight years of communist rule in Chisinau.
XS
SM
MD
LG