Political clashes to reach climax in second half of 2008, experts say

In the second half of 2008 political clashes will reach their climax, however it is unlikely that there will be an interest in a dangerous destabilisation of the political situation, political analyst Igor Botan states in a commentary quoted by Info-Prim Neo. In all probability, the Communist Party will bear down on patriotism, the celebration of the 650th anniversary of the foundation of the Moldovan State, preservation of traditions and authentic symbols, Igor Botan says. At the same time, the multicoloured opposition and its leaders will be chiefly preoccupied by finding solutions to the new challenges related to the ban on electoral blocs, increased electoral threshold, the need to hide or relinquish dual citizenship. Still, the most attractive thing for the voters will be the review of 8 years of Communist government and reactions on the part of the opposition, the expert asserts. The analyst believes that in spite of political confrontations between parties, their leaders will keep in mind the constitutional norm providing for the dissolution of the Parliament in case it fails to elect a President. It is unlikely though that any initiative to annul this norm will be made. Therefore, the political clashes will be influenced by the necessity to avoid “burning the bridges”, in order to preserve the possibility of later negotiations directed towards eventual government coalitions, which, given the mentioned constitutional norm, will have to represent a majority of three fifths, Botan concludes.