The independence of the Republic of Moldova turns even more vulnerable in a regional geopolitical context marked by the agony of the Russian imperialism that resulted in the occupation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine. The sword of imperial revenge of Russia hangs against above the Republic of Moldova, political analyst Nicolae Negru stated when he was asked by IPN enumerate the most relevant events or actions that strengthened or, on the contrary, weakened the values of democracy, independence and the rule of law since the previous anniversary of Moldova’s independence.
According to him, the Republic of Moldova was born with a congenital disorder, with a part of its territory controlled by a foreign state, Russia, which refuses to withdraw its troops and continues to maintain the separatist regime it created in the districts on the left side of the Nistru. In the course of this year, Moldova’s government and parliament tried to follow an independent path in relation to Russia. It managed to have the issue on the withdrawal of the Russian troops included in the agenda of the UN General Assembly. Five Russian diplomats who used their diplomatic status for goals that were contrary to our interests were expelled. Also, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin, Putin’s special representative in the Transnistrian region, was declared persona non-grata for his statements and unfriendly attitude towards the Republic of Moldova.
Nicolae Negru reminded that in the same period the President of Moldova Igor Dodon adopted the behavior of an obedient vassal that was favorable to Russia’s interests in the Transnistrian region, compromising the independence of the state he represents in the citizens’ eyes and outside. “Putin’s ironic, condescending attitude towards Dodon accentuated the feeling of shame and clumsiness generated by the inappropriate and non-dignified behavior of a President elected by “all the people”,” stated the analyst.
In another development, Nicolae Negru said the way in which the electoral system was replaced, even if this was done in accordance with the law, with the vote of over 2/3 of MPs, left the impression of a non-democratic act by the government because this didn’t want to fully take into account the disagreement of the pro-European opposition and the recommendations of the Venice Commission. As a result, the EU delayed the provision of its macro-financial assistance.
The invalidation of the Chisinau early mayoral elections also had a negative impact on the reputation of the Republic of Moldova. Even if it was a judicial decision from formal viewpoint, the general perception inside and outside is that a forbidden line was crossed. In a democracy with the rule of law, such a line would have never been crossed. If the way in which the mayoral elections were held in Chisinau and Balti left the impression that oligarchy is not omnipresent to exaggerate the state institution capture level, the annulment of the vote in Chisinau had the contrary effect: the perception that oligarchy controls everything became widespread.
Repeat of August 24
