Historian Octavian Ţâcu said the statehood and independence of the Republic of Moldova during almost three decades have been evidently undermined by the Russian secessionism in the Transnistrian region, by the Gagauz secessionism and by the direct interference of Moscow. This fact created among the Moldovan political elite a perception of limited sovereignty by which they are willing to exercise their authority if not over a unitary state, at least over a part, a province or a pseudo-state.
“Amidst the Transnistrian settlement talks, the autonomous unit of Gagauzia has been used as an additional means of exerting pressure on Chisinau. This will have destabilizing effects on the building of Moldovan statehood in the future too,” stated Octavian Ţâcu, who was asked by IPN enumerate the most relevant events or actions that strengthened or, on the contrary, weakened the values of democracy, independence and the rule of law since the previous anniversary of Moldova’s independence.
According to the historian, the loyalty to the Republic of Moldova is slightly developed and the prospects of democratization or of democratic governance are modest. The Russian-speaking minority developed one identity, of part of the Russian world, combined with shades of chauvinistic nationalism and emphases from the Soviet period. As the Romanian nationalism does not manifest itself as an integratory force owing to its political marginalization, while the “Moldovenist” one owing to the absence of historical legitimacy, the other nationalisms are sufficiently militant for creating a destabilizing effect on the process of strengthening Moldovan statehood.
Octavian Ţâcu said in the Republic of Moldova any minority considers itself authorized to determine the constitutional contour of the country, to promote ideas of national autonomy, federations and confederations, making use of the historical homelands or international organizations to exert pressure on Chisinau. The existence of an integral and sovereign state is the mandatory condition for transition and democratic consolidation. But as long as this is defied by minorities, with the direct assistance of their historical homelands, any other solution would mean legalization of disintegration imposed from outside.
At the same time, the Bessarabian Romanians’ loyalty to the Republic of Moldova is low owing to the rejection of the Romanian identity by the elite that ruled after 1991 and avoidance of its recognition as the formative element of the state. The history of this area shows the Romanian element has been a continuously majority one in time and this offers a clear perspective of relationship with other ethnic elements that came or were brought here in time.
The historian noted that the dichotomy Romanian/Moldovan is a Soviet-type invention that played a concrete role in a concrete historical period, while its reproduction in the post-Soviet context is counterproductive and harmful. The speculation of these notions undermines the identity foundations of the Republic of Moldova, generates political radicalization and makes the state nonfunctional. The keeping of the idea of unity in the meaning of identity should be consolidated with the definitive and irremediable acceptance of the Romanian language as the official language of the Republic of Moldova.
According to Octavian Ţâcu, the absence of clarity as to the identity problem in the Republic of Moldova makes the country’s foreign position more difficult, especially in relation to Romina for which the existence of the dichotomy between to be or not to be Romanian in Moldova is fundamental, and also in relation to the EU for which the neo-Soviet “Moldovenism” appears as a projection of Moscow, with multiple subsequent complications.
Octavian Ţâcu also said the acceptance of the fact that the majority population is formed by Moldovans/Romanians who speak the Romania language would increase adherence to the building of the Moldovan statehood and would give historical legitimacy to the Republic of Moldova, offering it cultural support by connecting it to the Romanian civilization area. The achievement of these desiderata, together with the complete assumption of the European values, could in time counteract the efforts to Russify Moldova and keep it in the sphere of Russian influence.
On the same issue:
Ion Manole: Moldova backsliding from democratic principles
Ion Tăbârţă: Can’t call our 27th year of independence successful
Corneliu Ciurea: Moldova is a battlefield on government legitimacy
Oazu Nantoi: Country where persons like Dodon are voted is doomed
Alexei Tulbure: Government crossed all red lines in undermining democracy
