June 25, 2018

We, the Signatory Organizations, members of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, and of the National Platform of Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, and other non-governmental organizations,

Understanding the mission and responsibility of the civil society in the process of democratization and protection of citizens’ rights and interests:

Express our profound disappointment with the eroding of democracy in Republic of Moldova, where citizens’ fundamental right to elect their representatives is being infringed.

We reiterate our complete disagreement with the motivation and the arguments used by the judges to invalidate the vote of more than 240,000 citizens from Chisinau, representing circa 40% of the voters that elected the mayor of the municipality.

We are deeply concerned that justice in Republic of Moldova is politically controlled and used as a tool against the public interest.

We are alarmed that now and henceforth any elections can be invalidated by means of ill motivated court decisions, thus nullifying citizens’ choice.

It is of paramount importance that the legality and legitimacy of the political power as well as the right to govern are ensured as a result of people’s will, expressed in periodic and free and fair elections.

It is the common responsibility of authorities, voters and political forces in building and consolidating the democratic institutions, and thus

We call upon all political forces in the country as well as the development partners to use all legal means to protect the rule of law in Republic of Moldova.

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www.alegeliber.md – The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections is a permanent, voluntary entity, made up of 35 nongovernmental organizations from the Republic of Moldova, having the aim to contribute to the development of democracy in the Republic of Moldova, by promoting and conducting free and fair elections in accordance with the standards of the ODIHR (OSCE), the Council of Europe and specialized institutions affiliated to it.

The National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum is an informal NGO network, created within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, set up in five working groups, specialized on different areas of expertise. At present, 85 civil society organizations of the Republic of Moldova are members of the National Platform.