Lawmakers voted to overhaul Moldova’s electoral system on Thursday, as thousands of opposition activists massed outside saying the changes favored the two largest parties. A smaller group of activists rallied nearby backing the measures, which they say will bring voters closer to the people who represent them. Prime Minister Pavel Filip pushed to replace the proportional electoral system with a mixed scheme which will let voters cast their ballot for constituency candidates as well as party lists.
Opponents said bringing in first-past-the-post voting will squeeze out smaller parties in the ex-Soviet country, and benefit the two main political players – the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party and the opposition pro-Moscow Socialists.
Both dominant parties have backed the changes in Europe’s poorest country, where the European Union and Russia compete for influence.
Full Article: Moldova passes divisive election law amid street protests.