Press-Release
on the organization of the debate “A common presidential candidate from the political right: how necessary and possible is this?”, the 57th installment of the “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” Series
Public debates series held by the news agency IPN in its conference room with the support of the German Foundation “Hanns Seidel”
Held on 9 June 2016, debate 57 brought together Ana Guţu, president of the Right Party; Maia Sandu, president of the Action and Solidarity Party; Viorel Cibotaru, Lib-Dem board member; Mihai Căpăţînă, secretary general of the European People's Party; Anatolie Prohniţchi, president of Green Party; Alexandru Slusari, vice president of Dignity and Truth Party; and Igor Boţan, executive director of ADEPT, the Project's standing expert.
Why this subject and this selection of participants?
First, because this idea has been voiced by many political actors, whose representatives are partially present at today's debate. Second, an important segment of Moldovan society is arguably interested in seeing such a common candidate for president emerge. The “political right” referred to in the motion is of course a conventional term; other, more all-encompassing but less unambiguous terms could include “reform-oriented parties”, “anti-oligarchic parties” or “opposition parties” .
Given the instructive element of the Project, our Standing Expert was asked to comment on the opportunity and necessity of such a common candidate. Igor Botan commented that the idea of fielding a common candidate for the presidential elections was consciously disseminated in society so as to see the reactions of the political parties and public opinion. The representatives of the government are for each party to field their own candidate for the elections as this way the situation in the country will normalize, as they say. On the other hand, the parties of the center-right speak about a common candidate and are ready to identify this for the sake of the common good, considering that the country is in a profound crisis.
Viorel Cibotaru, a member of the Political Bureau and of the National Political Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova, stated that not the concrete figure of the candidate for President is important, but rather the activity to join the political forces that will provide this candidate. The struggle for the post of President must not be a goal in itself. In the current government, the people’s will is not represented, while the country’s European course is underrepresented.
The head of the Party “Action and Solidarity” Maia Sandu said they are discussing a common candidate for the presidential elections on the political center-right. If the common candidate is identified, this should not be made public before the Government and Parliament make known the rules of the game, which are the conditions of the elections. If this candidate is known, the conditions of the elections will not be clearly specified and the government will try to diminish the candidate’s chances.
Secretary general of the European People’s Party of Moldova Mihai Capatana said the party he represents will not have discussions with the Party of Socialists and the Political Party “Our Party” for nominating a common candidate for the presidential elections. However, discussions with the parties of the center-right for choosing a common candidate are necessary. “The necessity of a common candidate of the political center-right is acute today, also because we have a lot of parties on the right,” he stated.
For his part, the deputy head of the Party “Platform Dignity and Truth” Alexandru Slusari said the party he represents is for having discussions on a common candidate with the parties of the center-right and with the parties of the left so that the future President represents all the people. If a common candidate on an extended political segment is not identified, the party will agree to choose a common candidate together with the parties of the center-right.
According to the head of the Party “The Right” Ana Gutu, the 25 years of experience of Moldova show that no matter who is in power, things in the country go bad. “The Right” is interested in identifying a candidate who, besides having other necessary qualities, will be able to promote the idea of Moldova’s union with Romania.
The chairman of the Green Ecologist Party of Moldova Anatolie Prohnitski considers that if the common candidate of the parties of the center-right is identified late, it will be hard to promote this. Fielding a candidate representing civil society that is not affiliated politically is the best solution.
The Agency published 8 news stories on the debate (see the English version of www.ipn.md): on 09.06.16, „Parties of center-right want a common candidate for presidential elections, but with variations, debate” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/77048; „Maia Sandu: We will not extend negotiations to choose common candidate with pro-Russian parties” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/77051; on 10.06.16, „Viorel Cibotaru: Struggle for post of President must not be a goal in itself” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/77054; „Igor Botan: Idea of common candidate for President was disseminated consciously in society” - http://www.ipn.md/en/special/77060; „Alexandru Slusari: We plead for identifying common candidate not only of the center-right” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/77061; „Mihai Capatana: The center-right cannot have a common candidate with the left” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/77064; „Ana Gutu: We are interested in identifying a common candidate if this will be a good unionist” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/77065; „Anatolie Prohnitski: Candidate for President on behalf of civil society is the best solution” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/77069.
Valeriu Vasilica, director of IPN