The rules about rules necessitate consensus. The elections are a regular process and the government is chosen once in four years. Consensus is needed when the rules of installing the government are considered. “But we are suggested consensus between two very rich parties. This is what the Venice Commission warned us about, but we don’t know what to expect. The Party of Socialists (PSRM) will ultimately lose or the Democratic Party (PDM) will ultimately lose. And we are suggested reaching a broad consensus in society so as to see who ultimately loses,” director of the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT) Igor Botan stated in the public debate “Broad consensus in Moldovan society: necessity and possibility”, which is the 74th installment of a series of debates, staged by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova.
Igor Botan noted that if the PDM and PSRM go hand in hand, they should say it openly and should not throw dust in the eyes and say that one is pro-European, while the other one is pro-Eurasian. “I do not want such a broad consensus when the goal is to make the other one look stupid in the end. I want free and fair elections to be held in this country, where everyone agrees with the rules of the game. There is one more consensus situation: in the current situation in the Republic of Moldova, the Venice Commission, which is a respectable institution, tells us that “it is not recommendable”. Why shouldn’t we ensure consensus around “it is not recommendable” and improve the current electoral system?” he asked.
Igor Botan expressed his bewilderment at the position of a number of ex-Communist MPs who, in 2013, were against the mixed-member electoral system, invoking the “Gagauzia syndrome”, but now, after four years, being members of the PDM, support the proposal to change the electoral system.
“Surely, the electoral system change is suitable for those who are rich. But I cannot understand why the Democrats pave the way for the Socialists’ victory? Igor Dodon already has 45% of the vote. What goal does the PDM pursue by paving the way for the PSRM’s victory? I have questions, but this can mean that the elections will not be free and fair. If I reach such a point, I have to oppose as a person who deals with electoral systems,” stated Igor Botan.
The ADEPT director noted that the replacement of the electoral system should be considered after the mass media is de-monopolized, the political party funding is made transparent, the Transnistrian conflict is settled and the territorial administrative reform is done. Maintaining political stability is a key element of the Association Agreement with the EU.
The public debate “Broad consensus in Moldovan society: necessity and possibility” is the 74th installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are organized with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
