Alliance has failed to demonstrate it can govern better than Communists, analyst

The Alliance for European Integration (AEI), which took power one year ago, has managed to keep Moldova afloat but it has failed to demonstrate it can govern the country better that the Party of Communists (PCRM), thinks political analyst Igor Botan. The analyst told a talk show on the national television on Monday that instead of orienting themselves toward social and economic issues, the four parties forming the Alliance have run off the tracks by embracing political projects with no hopes of success. “The AEI has kept Moldova afloat and the country didn't disappear from the map, as the PCRM warned. However my expectations were that the AEI could prove it was able to govern better than the PCRM. Let's hope on September 5 they will manage to overcome the constitutional crisis”, said Igor Botan. Media manager Alexandr Petkov, a former spokesperson for the PCRM, said the Alliance managed to establish good relationships with the Western partners and the neighbors, Romania and Ukraine. However, Petkov says the dismantling of the barbed wire fence along the Prut was not such a big deal, while in what concerns Ukraine, the authorities failed to disclose the outcome of the Palanca road concession deal. “I don't think the current government has managed to demonstrate it is capable of governing the country. Not a single electoral promise made by the four parties has been implemented in practice”, said Petcov. Speaking at the talk show, historian Octavian Ticu said 7 April 2009 was a landmark on Moldova's course. “The youth protest against the Communist government showed we gained in dignity. We have become a society that obtained the respect of the international community”. Commenting in this context, Igor Botan warned that Moldova could live the Ukrainian scenario, where the coalition fell apart after the so-called Orange Revolution. “From the viewpoint of dignity, this was indeed a historic event. But I'm afraid we cannot say the same thing about the process of governing”. Concerning the constitutional referendum on September 5, Igor Botan thinks it won't be able to pacify the politicians.