A total of 62 lawmakers supported the bill concerning Moldova’s Armed Forces during the Parliament’s closed-door session, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said.
“PAS MPs voted, as did MPs from Our Party and, I forgot, someone from the unaffiliated group,” Grosu told reporters, noting that the vote was conducted without the electronic voting system and lawmakers had to raise their hands to cast their votes.
On October 8, Parliament held a closed-door session during which lawmakers approved the structure and personnel strength of the National Army. Since the details of the bill contained classified information, MPs signed documents undertaking not to disclose its contents, while access to the plenary hall was restricted.
Lawmakers were not allowed to enter the meeting room with electronic devices or take notes. Printed copies of the bill’s annexes were provided to them upon entry, and they were required to return the documents after leaving the meeting. The pages containing classified information are to be destroyed in accordance with a special procedure.
The closed-door session was held because the draft contained information classified as a state secret. Authorities said the measure was part of efforts to modernize and strengthen Moldova’s defense capabilities amid the security risks in the region.