The achievements in 2018, in particular in the Transdniestrian settlement process, Transdniestrian settlement process, benefit the people on both banks of the Nistru: farmers, students, teachers, pupils, parents. They also have helped to build trust between both sides. And they help to build the final settlement from below, said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Claus Neukirch. “Hence, I would say we are on a good track with the small step approach,” he noted.
Moldova’s economy in 2018 grew at a rate that ranged between 4.2% and 4.6%. The rise in foreign trade deficit was one of the most worrisome developments. The decisive structural and geographical tendencies strengthened through the growth of the European Union’s role. As regards the forecasts for next year, the analysts anticipate a GDP growth of 3.5%, according to the pessimistic scenario, and of 5.2%, according to the optimistic scenario, which is much below the optimal growth level of 7-8%.
Among the risks that could compromise the forecast for 2019 is the political climate. Sergiu Cioclea’s resignation from the post of National Bank governor also adds a dose of uncertainty as to the extent to which the central bank will remain a supporter of the strategy for directly targeting inflation and ensuring and maintaining the stability of prices in the medium-term. Traditionally, the weather conditions are also a major source of risks. As policy recommendation, the experts reiterated the adoption of a precautious and moderate fiscal policy for 2019, which would ensure the stability of the fiscal and budgetary systems in the medium and long terms.
In November, the annual rate of inflation was lower than in October. Food prices rose by 0.8% compared with the previous month following the increase in the prices of eggs (+6.0%), fresh vegetables (+5.7%), potatoes (+2.7%), milk and milk products (+1.2%) and fats (+0.6%). The evolution of food prices was offset by the decline in the prices of fresh fruit (-1.1%) and sugar (-0.9%). Excluding the seasonal factor, the food prices diminished by 0.1% on October.
This week, the Constitutional Court (CC) was featured in news items on two important occasions. According to the authors of a new Sic! article, one of them refers to the almost traditional suspension of Igor Dodon from the office of President and the second was the so-called surprise appointment of former prosecutor general Corneliu Gurin and the even more surprising appointment of Democratic MP Artur Reshetnikov as constitutional judges. The authors said both are good occasions for discussing the CC’s role in a democracy and its independence.
The decisions and composition of the CC suggest the parties managed to bring the Court under political control. Judges like Corneliu Gurin are named without any transparency or contest. The spotless reputation and political non-affiliation have been long ignored. Alexandru Tănase or Artur Reshetnikov are good examples of politicians who turned overnight into ‘impartial judges’. Also, the motivation of the decision on temporary incapacity to hold office is an evidently political comment. The criticism leveled by the opposition of the right and by the President’s Socialists further undermine the Court’s credibility.
The recent appointment of former prosecutor general Corneliu Gurin and Democratic MP Artur Reshetnikov as judges of the Constitutional Court shows the current regime tries to complement the CC with persons loyal to the Democratic Party, former judge Domnica Manole stated in a program on Jurnal TV channel, noting the new CC judges were appointed by flagrantly flouting the law.
In the talk show “Key issue” on NTV Moldova channel, jurist Sergei Mishin said when an MP of the Democratic Party is named CC judge without obeying the internal regulations, the CC starts to be increasingly regarded as a body that stopped being the guarantor of the distribution of powers, as the Constitution provides. “Besides the fact that the CC passes political judgements, it now dares to become involved in constitutional matters and to modify the Constitution as it is suitable for it, more exactly for those who now form part of the Court,” he stated.
In the series “2018: how it was and how it wasn’t!?”, IPN News Agency presents the views of officials and civil society on justice. The content includes: Adoption of new Civil Code was biggest accomplishment; Most sensitive segment – detention conditions; Justice sector reform wasn’t a priority for politicians.
In a report published on December 13, the Council of Europe anti-torture committee (CPT) expresses its concern that, as a remnant from the Soviet past, the phenomenon of an informal prisoner hierarchy in the Moldovan prison system has flourished into a profit-oriented criminal enterprise. Moreover, it is not evident that the relevant authorities fully appreciate the extent of the problem.
The Moldovan authorities are urged to take determined action throughout the prison system to guarantee the security and safety of prisoners.
Detail on IPN!
