The presidential elections held in Moldova on November 13 caused a particular interest in Brussels, but this was much smaller than that witnessed in the parliamentary elections of November 2014, politologist Dionis Cenusa stated in an opinion article written for IPN.
According to Cenusa, the EU’s position on the preliminary election outcome was purely pragmatic and precautious in character. The EU showed neither positive nor negative feelings towards the Moldovans’ vote.
The politologist also said that they speak less about Moldova in Brussels now. If it is mentioned, then from the angle of the banking frauds, the oligarchization of the political system or deepening of the ‘captured state’ phenomenon. The discussions about Moldova seldom refer to positive examples.
Cenusa considers two opinion currents can be now seen in Brussels as regards the prospects of the Moldova – EU relations.
The first current describes Igor Dodon’s victory as major political regression and is in a “state of alert” determined by the diminution of the interest in Moldova and even by a kind of fatigue towards Moldova. The concerns are also generated by the increasing influence of the pro-Russian forces in Chisinau following Dodon’s victory.
The second current is pragmatic. This describes the risks related to Igor Dodon’s presidency as exaggerated. The main argument invoked is that Moldova depends on the EU from economic viewpoint and this would prevent Dodon from taking radical action in relation to the EU.
The author concludes that the calm pragmatism shown by this group derives from the fact that Dodon is a rational politician who will not want to discredit himself before the voters by undermining the benefits offered by the EU.
