The democracy that remained in Moldova can be measured by the finger. There is some free media, but their critical mass is not free. There is no rule of law and if the state of affairs cannot be changed by elections, the people are obliged to remove this political class, former Liberal-Reformist MP Valeriu Saharneanu said in the public debate “Europeanism of Moldovan government and society: responsibilities, affinities and dissimilarities in different periods of pro-European government” that was staged by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova.

“I travelled to villages and saw the Europeanization level of our state. An elderly woman bought bread from the shop on credit. Here, in the capital city, in the offices of Parliament, we are satisfied. But Europeanism is measured by the people’s welfare and by the transparency ensured by the free media. These things are absent. This was established by us, the people, and by the development partners that refused to finance the country until real reforms are not done,” said the politician.

Valeriu Saharneanu noted that he does not make a call for uprising, but the people has the right to show its dissatisfaction when the government ignores the law. “The population has this right because it was brought to poverty and no longer trusts the government. Our society is very responsible. If we look back, we can see that society voted courses that can bring welfare in crucial moments. In 2009 and 2010, the population voted repeatedly the European course. Afterward, the responsibility was borne by the political class,” he stated.

According to the ex-MP, Moldova witnessed not political struggles, but struggles between criminal groups. “This led to the loss of people’s confidence in the state. Our political class is very hypocritical and opportunist,” he said.

Valeru Saharneanu also said that the really European changes in society must start with the transformation of the parties from limited liability companies into democratic, transparent and responsible organizations.

The public debate entitled “Europeanism of Moldovan government and society: responsibilities, affinities and dissimilarities in different periods of pro-European government” is the 54th installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates”, organized with the support of the German Foundation “Hanns Seidel”.