The protest movements are an absolutely normal phenomenon, typical for all democracies. They represent an instrument of expressing a discontent existing in society, which is wanted on the public agenda. Also, the prevailing dissatisfaction must join society, not divide it, while the protesters, regardless of the ideology and external course promoted, must become a force. Such opinions were stated in the public debate “Protest movements in Moldova: motives, manifestations, typical features, developments, benefits, dangers” that was staged by IPN News Agency in partnership with Radio Moldova.
CReDO executive director Sergiu Ostaf, expert of the project, said the protest movements shape and give voice to particular problems faced in society and, when the authorities do not manage to swiftly respond to the demands, these get a more pronounced shape. These movements are an absolutely normal and democratic phenomenon that highlights particular problems and through which they aim to change the views on particular subjects. Everything depends on how the public institutions react to protesters’ demands because the system difficulties intensify protests.
Igor Botan, a member of the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth”, said the goal of the civic movements is to return things to normality and to awaken the people by transforming them into citizens. “The platform’s members are different people, with a different background, but who considered it necessary to demonstrate when US$1 billion was stolen and this is a tax imposed on the people by the politicians who promote the European integration,” he stated, adding that the parties ruling the country can act in a European manner if they consider themselves ‘pro-European’ – the leaders should resign and should renew the administration. “But this will never happen in our country because they call themselves pro-Europeans, but their acts show that they are not.”
Elena Podoleanu, the representative of the National Unity Bloc, said that the situation in Moldova left the people without hope, especially after 2009, when the people took to the streets. “It is evident that civil society becomes more and more active and an increasing number of people go out to protest, demonstrating peacefully and stating their opinions. We see that society embraces this unionist current that comes to ultimately bring to an end the consequences of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. We come with a truth to civil society and tell it what we are and where we should go. All our protests are peaceful and every citizen has the right to free expression,” said the young woman.
Boris Muravschi, the representative of the Common Patriotic Bloc “We Save Moldova”, police general-major in reserve, said two trends can be now seen in the protest movements – an internal one that is motivated by the state of the people and the committed illegalities, and another one related to the external vector. “The unionist organizations impose their position and this is not right even if we respect the opinion stated by one person or another,” he stated. In reply, Elena Podoleanu denied that the movement imposes its position.
According to Boris Muravschi, currently society lives in poverty and this fact determines protest movements based on the people’s dissatisfaction. “If the state administration worked honestly and we felt this, a large number of organizations would disappear because the people would not need to demonstrate and protest,” he stated.
Nicu Trincanu, businessman working in agriculture from Edinet district, said protest movements appeared lately in different sectors and this is beneficial because, when the people are not satisfied, they feel the need to protest. In the case of farmers, the demands are very specific, but society must realize that the problems of farmers will affect all the people. All the protesting forces should unite as to as to achieve their objectives.
The debate “Protest movements in Moldova: motives, manifestations, typical features, developments, benefits, dangers” is the 39th of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are organized with the support of the German foundation “Hanns Seidel”.
