The Democratic Party’s main plan is to form a heterogeneous coalition by attracting MPs from various parliamentary groups, like it happened in 2016. In a second scenario, the opposition parties are advised to find compromise. Snap elections shouldn’t be ruled out either. Such opinions were voiced at Natalia Morari’s Politics talk show on TV8.
Political pundit Victor Ciobanu thinks snap elections are on the table as a reserve plan. But he sees Vladimir Plahotniuc already behaving like a future prime minister, in light of the latest press briefing where the Dem leader announced higher pensions and Easter payouts on behalf of the Government.
“The PDM is still in power really, and Mr. Plahotniuc wants to project this image of him having the upper hand in these talks. Everybody knows that the future premier means action, not talk”, quipped Ciobanu, referring to the Democrats’ campaign slogan.
Valeriu Pașa, of the WhatchDog NGO, says Plahotniuc “has the option of forming a parliamentary majority by either coercion or corruption”. “The only normal, natural way, given the abuse that took place on February 24, is for the political parties which want to survive in politics the way we know them is to reach compromise with one single goal – trigger snap elections, which will then be conducted in democratic and fair conditions, with the institutions freed and independent. And then, let the voters decide”, says Pașa. Otherwise, he believes, both the Socialists and the bloc NOW will go the way of the Communists and Liberals and find their political demise.
However, political pundit Roman Mihăeș thinks NOW should make a public offer for the Democratic Party and society to detail their vision of government. “Let them come forward with a government program, a prime minister name and proposals as to how to de-politicize the institutions and only then will I see some seriousness”.
The February 24 legislative elections didn’t produce a clear winner, with the Socialists reserving 35 seats in Parliament, the Democrats 30 and the NOW bloc 26. The Shor Party is expected to take 7 seats as 3 others will be occupied by independents. One option intensely discussed by commentators lately has been that of an ad hoc coalition between the Socialists and NOW for the sole purpose of setting state institutions “free from captivity” and triggering snap elections. Neither has shown much interest, however.