Opinion polls in 2006 showed about 35% of the population considered that the country followed a correct path. In 2016 this figure stands at 7-8%. The number of those who support the European course of Moldova also decreased, from 72% to 39-41%, shows a study presented by the Institute for National Development on June 21. One of the authors, doctor of economy Gheorghe Costandachi said that Euroskepticism became more evident under the pressure of the socioeconomic problems faced daily by the population, IPN reports.
Among the phenomena that influenced the people’s opinions are corruption and bribery. “All the state institutions are affected by these phenomena to a greater or lesser extent. Last December, a report by the National Anticorruption Center said the losses generated by corruption total 860 million lei a year. We determined that these are higher, of about 10% of the GDP,” stated Gheorghe Costandachi.
The study shows the consequences of corruption have an impact mainly on the business sector. Many businesspeople abandon entrepreneurial activities because they often have to offer bribe and meet with unfair competition that becomes more obvious amid the growing underground economy. The volume of investments declined during the last three years, as the remittances coming from Moldovans who are abroad did. Usually, 75-85% of these sums go on consumption, not on investment and creation of new jobs.
Among the major problems highlighted by the study is the decline in the balance of trade both with the CIS countries and with the EU member states. The growing volume of bad loans in the banking sector is another reason for concern. Insufficient measures are taken to identify those to blame for the bank fraud. The inaction diminishes Moldova’s credibility before the development partners and the own people. Moldova remains a poor country, while the concern about tomorrow represents a permanent preoccupation of the people who tend to leave. The number of students has decreased by 700,000 since 200. This shows that the Moldovans go to live in other countries, including with their families, said the doctor of economy.
Those who took part in the presentation of the study suggested proposals for remedying the situation. A proposal was to convoke the scientists to identify an economic model that will enable Moldova to become more functional, together with representatives of the government and other institutions.
