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I. Law on modification and completion of the Law on Audiovisual

As was expected, opposition factions and ruling party tried to negotiate a compromise draft for the second reading that would suit the authors and meet Council of Europe recommendations. During the plenary session representatives of the Communist faction stated they agreed state authorities to designate 1/3 of the Observers' Council members, whereas opposition and non-governmental organizations the other 2/3, on condition they enjoy large public support.

Representatives of the Social-Democratic Alliance withdrew their draft, protesting that not all their recommendations were accepted. The ruling party acted exactly like it did last summer and voted an alternative draft. In line with the recommendations of the Chair of Parliament Commission on Mass Media, the Observers' Council would include:

• 2 representatives of the Presidency;
• 2 representatives of the Parliament (1 of the opposition or independent candidates);
• 2 representatives of the Government;
• 2 representatives of the national minorities;
• 1 representative of the Supreme Magistracy Council;
• 1 representative of the "Teleradio-Moldova" employees;
• 1 representative from each of the following public associations (trade unions, artists' unions, mass media organizations, veteran's and cultural associations).

Overall the Council would include 5 representatives of the authorities, thus 1/3 quota has been observed.

II. Law on extending the deadline for submitting the income declarations by public officers

Initially the law provided that by January 20, 2003, income and estate declarations were to be filled by public officers (President, MPs, Government members, judges, prosecutors, mayors, etc) and verified.

The campaign has started in mid-January and mass media reported on the formation of Control Commission and submission of declarations by officers employed by Ministries and Departments, as well as other state institutions.

There was much skepticism voiced with regard to the transparency of the declarations and the fact that they would really be made public. Even more skepticism was expressed with regard to the sanctions to be applied for the submission of false data or illegal income.

Under the newly adopted amendments, the deadline for submitting the declarations has been extended until July 1, 2003. Afterwards the Control Commissions would examine them and supposedly make public some of the data.

III. Law on state policy on innovations and know-how, adopted in the first reading

The law defines the basic notions in the field of know-how. The state policy in the field is declared a national priority. The law also regulates the responsibilities of local government in the field; priorities in the field of innovations and know-how; criteria for selecting innovation projects; sources of funding, etc.

IV. Law on Local Public Administration

After short debates, the Parliament passed a new Law on Local Public Administration in the first reading. For more details on the law see the commentary "Revising local public administration".