30 Opposition MPs Demand Reversal of Alexandru Verșinin’s Removal as President of the Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Thirty members of the parliamentary opposition in the Republic of Moldova have signed a joint declaration condemning the decision to remove MP Alexandru Verșinin from his leadership position in Parliament’s delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), replacing him with a representative of the parliamentary majority.

The signatories point out that Verșinin’s own faction never requested his removal and has not withdrawn its political support for him. They argue it is unacceptable for the parliamentary majority to decide who can represent the opposition in international structures.

“Our solidarity with MP Alexandru Verșinin is not personal, but a matter of principle,” the declaration states, adding that the signatories defend the right of every MP to exercise their mandate without political pressure.

The declaration calls on the parliamentary majority to:
1.⁠ ⁠Withdraw the decision to remove Verșinin;
2.⁠ ⁠Respect the opposition’s right to designate its own representatives;
3.⁠ ⁠Guarantee proportional representation in international parliamentary delegations;
4.⁠ ⁠Avoid any practice that could amount to political sanctioning of MPs for their views.

The signatories call on Moldova’s external partners, diplomatic missions accredited in Chișinău, and international organizations to closely monitor the situation, in light of the country’s commitments on its European path.

“Democracy is not tested by how a majority treats its own representatives, but by how it respects the rights of those who criticize it,” the declaration concludes.