Political analyst Corneliu Ciurea claims Moldova is the field of a political battle to legitimize or de-legitimize the government. IPN has contacted the expert to highlight the most relevant events and actions that have strengthened or, conversely, harmed the statutes of democracy, independence, and rule of law since Moldova’s last independence anniversary.

In reference to the evaluation report by the International Monetary Fund from November 2017, which led to the decision of granting Moldova a new installment from the 180 million dollar loan, Corneliu Ciurea says this has proven that western donors support the current government, and that IMF has shown its openness towards Moldova.

In reference to the government restructuring from December 2017, the analyst reminds that seven ministers have been switched, the newcomers having been chosen as refreshers for public policy. Meanwhile, those changes caught the society by surprize, as many of those who had left were people from the entourage of PDM leader Vlad Plahotniuc.

In the opinion of Corneliu Ciurea, following the resignations of Chișinău Mayor Dorin Chirtoacă and of Bălți Mayor Renato Usatîi in February 2018, the political battle has intensified, and the anti-system opposition found another way to give the governing class a hard time. An action is launched to force elections and to thwart PDM’s plans to gain control over the municipalities of Chișinău and Bălți. This objective has been only partially fulfilled, believes Corneliu Ciurea.

Commenting on the resignation of Minister for Justice Alexandru Tănase, in March, following leaks of some of the Minister’s compromising phone calls, Corneliu Ciurea says this has been an odd resignation, a testimony to the vulnerability of the political class, as one of the most promising politicians from the ‘70s generation is pushed out of the game.

The analyst also mentions the rather negative assessment by the Venice Commission of the new Election Code, pointing out that it has been an impactful event. The government has continued to play its interpretation game, trying to prove that – although negatively assessed in places – the Commission hasn’t banned the Code, and so it was amended. The dialogue with European institutions, concerning political support for the government, continues. The government still hopes that the EU will play by technical, as opposed to political rules in Moldova.

With regards to months May-June, Corneliu Ciurea speaks of the new local elections in Moldova and the surprising victory of Andrei Năstase in Chișinău, elections that have been annulled by the courts of law and have “upset the west.” According to the analyst, although the ruling does seem suspicious in terms of political influence, it has been issued in accordance with legal norms.

Corneliu Ciurea adds that the IMF and World Bank have adopted financial support for Moldova, thus showing a split in the westerners’ attitude towards Moldova – the EU is hostile, whereas the US and other institutions are neutral.

The European Parliament resolution from July, to suspend financial aid to Moldova, according to the expert, is a decision to freeze Moldova – EU relations, one that is extremely discussable in the current electoral context in Moldova. The analyst claims that “EU’s upset” concerning the deterioration of Moldova’s democracy isn’t fully impartial, it has a political undertone – the desire to support their political friends – PAS and PPPDA.

Speaking of the fiscal reform launched in August, Corneliu Ciurea states that – alongside projects such as First Home 1 and 2, Chișinău Arena, Good Roads for Moldova – it is an action designated for the people of Moldova. The analyst reminds that reforms are criticized by the right-wing opposition, which doesn’t accept anything that comes from the government, thus attesting a complete split.


On the same topic:

Ion Manole: Moldova backsliding from democratic principles

Ion Tăbârţă: Can’t call our 27th year of independence successful