PAS legislative initiative: 9 May could be designated Europe Day. Parliamentary opposition criticises the idea
The bill, which would replace Victory Day with Remembrance Day, to be marked on 8 May, will be put to first reading debate today. The authors of the document, members of the PAS faction, are proposing that 9 May should be Europe Day. The draft was criticised by the parliamentary opposition, which protested outside the legislature against the change to Victoria Day. On the other hand, experts say the legislative initiative is justified and that 8 May is the historic date commemorating the victims of the Second World War.
9 May could become Europe Day, according to the initiative launched by the parliamentary majority. This project will return to the historical date of commemoration of the end of the Second World War on the European continent, 8 May, and will abandon the approach imposed by the Soviet Union to mark Victory Day, PAS deputy Oazu Nantoi told Radio Moldova.
"It returns to the historical document, with the signing of the act of surrender of Nazi Germany on 8 May and renounces the militaristic approach to the historical past. The Soviet Union has broken up and that homeland that is mentioned in that resolution signed in 1990 has disappeared. If someone is close to Putin's regime, they should say so and not invoke so-called sacred feelings about Victory Day," said the PAS MP.
The PAS deputies' initiative to replace Victory Day with Remembrance Day has sparked a wave of criticism from the opposition. Several Socialist MPs and their supporters came out to protest outside parliament. Among those present at the demonstration was the executive secretary of the Socialist Party, Igor Dodon, who said that Victory Day is the holiday that unites citizens and they must defend its value.
"We have a holiday that has always united us all. This is Victory Day. We are obliged with you to fight for our values. Today, in Parliament, I believe, it's going to be hot," said the socialist.
The legislative initiative is justified and defends the interests of the Republic of Moldova, political analyst Anatol Țăranu told Radio Moldova.
"Such an approach proposed by the parliamentary majority is absolutely justified, because it is in the interests of the Republic of Moldova, a sovereign and independent state, and distances us from what is called the Russian or Soviet tradition. And the fact that certain political forces are trying to maintain in the collective mentality but also in the practical use in the Republic of Moldova, the celebration of such dates as the new one more in the Soviet style speaks once again about the fact that the pro-Soviet, pro-Russian forces in the Republic of Moldova are very strong and they are actually working through their actions against what is called the formation of the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova", said the expert.
If the draft law is approved, the government will have to update the legislation within two months from the date of publication.
