The Moldovan authorities have to learn lessons from the situation in Ukraine, where Russia deployed military forces in order to avoid possible risks. The government coalition is preparing a statement on the situation in the neighboring state. The Communist opposition considers that in order to avoid a similar situation, the population should not be divided and a national referendum should be held to find out the population’s opinion about the country’s development course. The issues were discussed by invitees to the public debate “Priorities of the political class and Moldovan society in an electoral year. Position of the parliamentary parties” that was staged by IPN Agency.
MP Ana Gutu, of the Liberal Reforming Party, said the situation in the region is difficult and it’s not known how efficient the influence mechanisms used by international organizations are. “The Republic of Moldova is anchored in this game and we cannot ignore what’s going on. Unfortunately, Moldova is a neutral state. I say it unfortunately as I imagine that this conflict can extend to the Transnistrian region too. What will we do with out modest army and with our neutrality? Will we seek help from the NATO? Moldova’s neutrality is an improper framework for the current conditions. What will we do in such a dangerous area? Will we still plead for Eurasian integration? The lesson is cruel for us,” she stated.
Some of the participants in the debate drew parallels between the situation in Ukraine and some of the rather explosive actions promoted by certain political parties, including the holding of the referendum on the country’s development course in Gagauzia and the initiative to organize similar plebiscites in other regions.
Communist MP Artur Reshetnikov considers that Moldova didn’t pass an irreversibility point and the existing concerns are due to the fact that the government does not enjoy the massive support of the population. The Association Agreement with the EU can be signed only if there is widespread popular support. “The result of the referendum in Gagauzia was a blow to the pursued pro-European policy as 98% of the people in the autonomous region are against it. We said that in order to improve the situation, we should hold a consultative referendum and the government will be free to act how the people want. We should not divide society. We must find a political mechanism to strengthen it,” stated the lawmaker.
Liberal-Democratic lawmaker George Mocanu replied that the ruling parties have the people’s support as they came to power after promoting the pro-European integration in the election campaign. As to the situation in Ukraine, he said that the lessons must be learned. Thus, if the current government changes the course, the people will stage protests. “We have a foreign army in the Transnistrian region. What independence do we have with a foreign army there? I understand why the Communist government was also unable to solve it. Because there is an army there. Only by making the territory controlled by the constitutional authorities attractive can we bring the people from the two banks of the Nistru River closer,” he stated.
Political analyst Nicolae Negru considers that if the political parties agree certain models to modernize the country, a contact point between all the forces on the political arena may be found. “But in our country they do not discuss, but rather struggle. There will be no national unity without discussions,” said the expert.
Executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy Igor Botan, permanent expert of the IPN project, said the situation in Ukraine shows that the sudden change of priorities generates protests. “The government must be responsible and, if conflicts appear in society, the best solution is to disperse tensions. An oligarchic government will face problems if it calls the people to patriotic defense. We must understand to what extent our system is oligarchic,” he added.
The debate “Priorities of the political class and Moldovan society in an electoral year. Position of the parliamentary parties” is the 27th of the series of debates “Development of political culture by public debates”. IPN Agency has staged the debates for the third year, with the support of the German foundation Hanns Seidel and in cooperation with Radio Moldova.
