The silence kept by the Party of Socialists during the first weeks after elections was somehow related to the reaction of other parties to the invitation to negotiations made by the PSRM, Socialist MP Gaik Vartanean said, noting the party invited only the Bloc ACUM to discussions, but saw from the start the Bloc’s rather harsh reaction. ACUM continued the electoral rhetoric, including by such statements as “we will not sit at the negotiating table with thieves”. This rhetoric has become more moderate, but its essence remained the same.
For things on the political arena to move on, Gaik Vartanean said it is important for ACUM to overcome their fears and realize what is important for them – a coalition, the breaking of the deadlock, snap elections or something else. It is very hard to destroy a system built for over ten years when decisions are taken with such a difficulty. “ACUM is not politically mature and is not ready to cooperate with other parties,” he stated in the public debate “Passion, forgiveness and reconciliation in Moldovan politics” that is the 109th installment of the “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” Series, staged by IPN Agency and Radio Moldova.
“Indeed, the Party of Socialists sticks to the position for which most of the parliamentary democracies that resisted in time plead – the party that gained the most of the seats of MP should be able to choose the post it wants. The harsh position formulated by the Bloc ACUM from the start – that it wants the two senior state posts, of Parliament Speaker and of Premier - even if this party ranks third by the number of seats, whereas the PSRM should vote a minority government, bewildered us. We didn’t understand based on what European example this initiative was launched,” stated Gaik Vartanean.
The MP noted the Party of Socialists is the one that was to offer the Bloc ACUM to form a minority government and to form it, and ACUM could have voted for it. The PSRM follows the logic that two opposition parties can now replace the government that ruled for ten years as the PDM was in power in a particular format and ruled alone during the past two-three years.
Gaik Vartanean said he does not agree with the assertion that ACUM and the PDM look into opposite directions. On the contrary, ACUM and the PDM are closer as regards the pro-European orientation than ACUM and the PSRM. However, despite the existing differences, including ideological ones, for the first time in Moldovan society since the declaration of independence, rather different opposition parties could show an example of rapprochement. The Socialists show flexibility and political maturity as the replacement of the government is now the most important objective and almost 70% of the voters, of ACUM and the PSRM, voted for this.
Commenting on expert Igor Boțan’s assertion that ideologically the PSRM and the PDM are closer, the MP said the Democrats were always rather close to the doctrine of the Liberal-Democrats as the Socialists didn’t form part of alliances for European integration during the past ten years and namely representatives of the Bloc ACUM worked in former alliances alongside members of the PDM. The PDM keeps silent because it understands that its rating declines and the European integration no longer works. It is isolated and thus tried to undertake the Socialists’ rhetoric that says the country should have good relations both with the East and the West. “But we should first of all bring things in the country in order.”
Speaking about the omnipresence of the Democratic Party in the post-electoral environment and its communication tactic, the Socialist MP said the PDM does not keep silent, but rather does not have what to offer politically. For the first time in the past ten years, the PDM is not an active player in the formation of the executive bodies. This cannot influence the possible discussions or negotiations between the Bloc ACUM and the PSRM. On the other hand, the PDM somehow tries to repeat the result achieved in elections, if the PSRM and ACUM do not come to terms. For them, it is important to fulfil their populist commitments. Regrettably, the economic situation worsens and the PDM loses its political authority before domestic and foreign political partners.
In a message to the citizens, the Socialist MP urged them to ask those for whom they voted what they are ready to do for overcoming the political crisis. Asked why the Parliament sittings are not resumed, he said the PSRM’s National Council decided that the party will discuss the formation of a parliamentary majority without which the sitting of Parliament cannot be held. If a meeting is held, this will be nothing but a show.
The Democratic Party was also invited to the debate, but this delegated no one to take part.
The debate titled “Passion, forgiveness and reconciliation in Moldovan politics” is the 109th installment of the “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” Series, organized by IPN and Radio Moldova, with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
