Education, the remains of Soviet mentality, the propaganda on the Russian TV channels, tolerance of violence and the psychological comfort are the main causes why so many Moldovans are for Moldova’s integration into the Customs Union. The issue was discussed in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.
Journalist Ion Terguta said the large number of supporters of the Customs Union is due to the lack of appropriate education. “Many Moldovans feel comfortable in the Eastern area. They get lost in the crowd there and this suits them. They feel strangers in the West because not everyone can adjust themselves to the culture and values of the Western civilization. The mentality of these Moldovans was formed during a longer period of time. They were taught that the state must take care of them and that somebody must give them something permanently and think instead of them,” he stated.
Alexandru Solcan, dean at the State University of Moldova, considers that another cause resides in the government. “We need Europe for modernization. Europe means laws, prosperity and democracy. The authorities feel comfortable to rule and live by the Eastern model. The last government wasted time and fuel to change this state of affairs. Most of the Moldovans have a paternalistic mentality. It’s hard to change their mentality as they lived and were educated in another system. They feel attached to Russia morally and consider that Russia has rights over our territory. The Russian propaganda also has an influence,” he stated.
Viorel Garbu, expert of the Market Economy Institute, explained that the Moldovans are used to depend on somebody. “We always look for support, not for solutions to remedy the situation. Our authorities got used to receiving millions of euros from abroad. Such a situation cannot continue eternally,” he said.
The host of the program broadcast in the evening of November 19 Cristian Tabara said the Moldovans tolerate aggressiveness and violence and this is another reason why so many Moldovans support the Customs Union. “A violent war is taking place in the neighboring state. The Moldovans went through the armed conflict on the Nistru, but this does not scare them apparently,” stated the journalist.
