Lithuanian MEP Petras Auštrevičius said the economic indicators in the Republic of Moldova generate optimism in the European Union, but the political situation remains worrisome. Moreover, the reelection of Putin will mean only one thing for Moldova: Russia will not leave Moldova alone. The Russian influence in elections will play an important role and Russia could even finance some parties, as it did in other European states, IPN reports.
In an interview for Radio Free Europe’s Moldovan Service, Petras Auštrevičius said the EU analyzes the political, social and economic developments and how the money was used. “In the economic sector, the results seem to be very good. There was applied a new labeling code, which is the first change in 30 years. The pension system was reformed and the business climate was improved. As regards the political sector, given that Moldova will have elections this year, we are yet concerned about the unsolved electoral law issue. We do not understand why Moldova made so many changes to this law. The general state in society is worrying as we received many signals saying that these changes weren’t wanted by the people. Some changes were probably wanted, but no so profound ones. In conclusion, I would say that at economic level Moldova performs better and better, but at political level there are yet a series of insecurities that could lead to interesting results in elections,” he noted.
The MEP also said that the very high election threshold set by the new law will lead to the concentration of the political power and will prevent a real political competition. Campaign funding should also be noted. “No one can tell me that in a country where the average income is €3 000 a year, there are citizens we can donate sums that are 25 times larger than the annual income to political parties. Where does this money come from? Transparency is extremely important when it is about the financing of political parties. If we ignore these things, they will all have consequences for the final election outcome,” stated Petras Auštrevičius.
In another development, the MEP said he wants Moldova to see uninterrupted and dynamic socioeconomic development. There is no better road for Moldova than the European one. The people are tired of so much poverty.
