Party of ex-Gagauz head initiates referendum on Moldova's neutrality
The Moldovan opposition party "Heart of Moldova" has announced the decision to raise a popular initiative to hold a referendum on the issue of Moldova's neutral status. This was announced on October 16 by the leader of the political force, former head of Gagauzia Irina Vlah.
She explained that the country's neutrality status is periodically questioned by some high-ranking officials who believe that Moldova should become part of some military alliance. After meetings with residents of Moldovan localities, it was decided to turn to a popular initiative to hold a referendum.
"In accordance with the legislation in force, tomorrow (January 17. - Ed.) we will submit notifications to the Central Electoral Commission and to the Chisinau City Hall about the intention to create an initiative group to organize a consultative referendum on the issue of neutrality," - stated in the appeal on the Vlach website.
The initiative group will be formed within two weeks. At the same time, the politician did not rule out that the official authorities will try to delay the process or even block the initiation of the referendum.
"We call on the country's leadership to realize the importance of this referendum for Moldova's present and future. It will be a referendum on peace, which will be the starting point for further stability in our country. We hope that the authorities will realize this and will not create artificial obstacles," Vlah emphasized.
In mid-December 2024, Vlah addressed Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Gros, calling for a referendum on the republic's neutral status to be held simultaneously with the parliamentary elections. She added that the authorities ignored all the arguments, after which the party organized consultations with the republic's citizens on the possibility of holding a plebiscite.
Earlier, on December 29, 2024, former Moldovan President Igor Dodon called on opposition forces to unite in order to achieve a change of power in the country. According to him, the activities of the ruling Action and Solidarity party are completely contrary to the interests of citizens.
On December 19, Dodon said that Moldova is in a pre-revolutionary situation. The former president added that the protests in the country will only grow, so he calls for protests without slogans and flags, so that the current government realizes its incompetence.
Before that, in October, the Moldovan opposition staged a protest outside the Constitutional Court against the recognition of the results of the referendum on EU accession.
