A group of persons who include members of the first Parliament who voted the Declaration of Independence and personalities who fostered national renaissance and liberation launched the European Civic Movement of the Republic of Moldova. The announced goal of the Movement is to take an active part in the election campaign prior to the 2018 parliamentary elections by facilitating the organization of a common electoral front of the political forces in support of Moldova’s European course.
In a news conference at IPN on December 15, Valentin Dolganiuc, one of the initiators of the European Civic Movement and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, read the manifesto adopted on December 14. “The crisis witnessed by Moldovan society shows that the Republic of Moldova goes through the most difficult situation since the declaration of its independence. In the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections, the situation worsens owing to the changes made to the Election Code with the aim of keeping the oligarchic and pro-Russian forces in power,” says the statement.
Valentin Dolganiuc noted that by creating the European Civic Movement they aim to draw attention to the deviations from the text of the Declaration of Independence, based on which the Republic of Moldova was founded. They intend to stimulate civil society and to make the political class more responsible and to also unite all the forces so as to keep the country’s European course after the parliamentary elections of 2018 and the national renaissance ideals.
The initiators of the Movement said they will not run in the legislative elections, but will insist on the identification of a mechanism for choosing upright candidates from pro-European political parties and civil society. “We are convinced that by uniting the national, pro-European and anti-oligarchic forces and compiling a common list of candidates, we can save the Republic of Moldova. Otherwise, 2018 can become a fatal year,” stated Valentin Dolganiuc.
Alecu Renita, a member of the first Parliament and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, said the voice of many persons who are not indifferent to the fate of the Republic of Moldova was blocked. “It is unacceptable to continue based on such a model. The state that serves the power, not the people does not have prospects,” stated Alecu Renita, one of the initiators of the European Civic Movement.
“We warn that everything the National Liberation Movement achieved in the 1990s is now in danger. We think there are yet chances to obtain a European score in the future parliamentary elections. We should compile together the list of candidates. Separate parties and alliances between parties are not able to win,” stated Anatol Taranu, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and one of the initiators of the European Civic Movement.
A number of 77 persons signed for the creation of the European Civic Movement so far.
