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Moldova court suspends president over Russian media bill | Moldova court suspends president over Russian media bill |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Moldova's top court has suspended President Igor Dodon after he vetoed a bill aimed at stopping Russian news broadcasts. | Moldova's top court has suspended President Igor Dodon after he vetoed a bill aimed at stopping Russian news broadcasts. |
It is the third time that the court has suspended Mr Dodon in three months. | It is the third time that the court has suspended Mr Dodon in three months. |
Supporters of the bill say that it would reduce "propaganda" spread by pro-Russian media outlets. | Supporters of the bill say that it would reduce "propaganda" spread by pro-Russian media outlets. |
But President Dodon said it was a "blatant act of encroachment on freedom of information." | |
Moldova has long been caught in a political tug-of-war between Russia and the European Union (EU). | Moldova has long been caught in a political tug-of-war between Russia and the European Union (EU). |
The "anti-propaganda" bill proposes prohibiting rebroadcasts of Russian TV news programmes and introducing hefty fines for organisations that fail to comply. | The "anti-propaganda" bill proposes prohibiting rebroadcasts of Russian TV news programmes and introducing hefty fines for organisations that fail to comply. |
Some experts say the country is embroiled in an "information war" between pro-EU and pro-Russian factions. | Some experts say the country is embroiled in an "information war" between pro-EU and pro-Russian factions. |
While the president is from the pro-Russian camp, parliament and the coalition government of Prime Minister Pavel Filip are controlled by parties from the pro-EU camp. | While the president is from the pro-Russian camp, parliament and the coalition government of Prime Minister Pavel Filip are controlled by parties from the pro-EU camp. |
In a statement on his Facebook page after Friday's ruling, Mr Dodon attacked the bill as "censorship based on double standards" and "an encroachment on Moldovan citizens' freedom of information". | In a statement on his Facebook page after Friday's ruling, Mr Dodon attacked the bill as "censorship based on double standards" and "an encroachment on Moldovan citizens' freedom of information". |
In October, Mr Dodon was suspended by the top court over his refusal to appoint the coalition's choice of defence minister. | In October, Mr Dodon was suspended by the top court over his refusal to appoint the coalition's choice of defence minister. |
On Tuesday, the court suspended him again after he refused to appoint six new members to the country's cabinet. | On Tuesday, the court suspended him again after he refused to appoint six new members to the country's cabinet. |
On both previous occasions that Mr Dodon was suspended, the constitutional court gave the parliamentary speaker, Andrian Candu, the power to pass disputed bills. |
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