The notion of fascism is used inappropriately in Moldova, to label the political opponents, and is disseminated with the aim of polarizing society and simplifying the complex sociopolitical phenomena. This notion is also used for propagandistic purposes and poses threats, especially in the context of the regional instability. Such opinions were expressed by the participants in the public debate organized by IPN Agency in concert with Radio Moldova, under the theme “More frequent use of the notion of ‘fascism’ in internal, external and regional contexts: real and invented motives, goals, dangers and solutions”.
Sergiu Ostaf, executive director of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CreDO), said that fascism is an ideology that promotes the ethnic ideal. The political notion of fascism represents the idealization of an autocratic leader. The fascist ideology can take governmental form, but in the East-European area fascism didn’t penetrate the governmental sphere. The use of the notion of fascist forms part of the simplistic labeling tactics by which radical behaviors are cultivated in order to polarize society and to substitute particular notions and social problems with a virtual phenomenon.
Political analyst Victor Gurau said there are reasons for concern as Moldova borders possibly the harshest regional conflict that endangers the stability not only of the country. There are two camps in Chisinau – profound Romanian unionism and profound Russian chauvinism. There is a struggle between several geopolitical projects. Victor Gurau considers that the results of the European Parliament elections suggest that there are preconditions for the appearance of fascism in other areas of Europe.
Expert Igor Botan, executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT), said that the notion of fascism in Moldova is used inappropriately and plays rather the role of stigmatization. “The stigma attached to fascism has the most powerful charge. But the people get used to and understand that this stigma is used to defame the opponent,” said Igor Botan. He added that fascism includes such components as nationalism and racism. There are some nationalist movements in Moldova, but there is no racism yet. Thus, we cannot speak about fascism here. “Besides the tendency to stigmatize the opponent, this notion represents nothing else for Moldova. It is used inappropriately and its frequent use leads to the diminution of the negative potential,” stated the expert.
The experts underlined that the political class and society must be more responsible and must avoid inappropriate depictions. Moreover, the politicians should show maturity so as to avert the destabilization of the situation. The experts underlined the importance of the mass media and of civil society in highlighting the incorrect use of the notion of fascism and in preventing the polarization of society in general.
The debate “More frequent use of the notion of ‘fascism’ in internal, external and regional contexts: real and invented motives, goals, dangers and solutions” is the 29th of the series “Development of political culture in public debates”, organized by IPN in partnership with Radio Moldova and supported by Germany’s Hanns Seidel Foundation.
