The year 2017 will witness serious social and demographic problems in the Republic of Moldova. The mediocre economic growth and doubtful reputation of the business sector generate poverty and a reduction in jobs. This affects the collection of revenues into the public budget. Such conclusions were reached by analysts who compiled a publication about the risks of 2017. This was presented by the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, IPN reports.
“We have a massive depopulation tendency in the Republic of Moldova. According to academic estimates, if the same pace is preserved, each third person in the Republic of Moldova in 2050 will be over 60. Such a tendency means aging and steady disappearance of the Moldovan population. Regretfully, we see that for 2017 there are no programs or projects assumed by the Government for solving these major problems,” said the executive director of “Viitorul” Igor Munteanu.
According to the analysts, the social crisis of the population generates rapid aging and record emigration, having as effect the discouragement and demoralization of the population, which aims to emigrate at all costs from a country without a future. These tendencies will become more evident in 2017 amid political apathy and dissipation of the social capital. Particular parties that aim to form the core of the political power try to avoid discussing these painful issues because they are destructive, influencing thus the free press standards and the search for solutions to these challenges. Street protests could intensify in 2017 amid economic stagnation where the reaction against the authorities and lack of social goods are the real phase of the long-term economic framework.
The experts predict that the prices of electricity, heat, oil and basic necessities will increase this year, generating thus the dissatisfaction of the people who will be later involved in protests mounted by the opposition parties against the Government and Parliament.
With the election of Igor Dodon as President, the deep geopolitical divisions in society will become more accentuated. The first actions taken by the new President – modification of the language on the website of the presidential administration and withdrawal of the Moldovan presidency from Traian Basescu – confirm the prevalence of the antinational symbolism in the speech of the new Head of State. These decisions will reanimate the political controversies in society and will stimulate response actions on the part of unionist groups.
The risks were anticipated with the assistance of communities of policy thinkers. The respondents were asked to simulate the biggest challenges this year for Moldova.
