Press Release
on the organization of the debate "Why does the electoral behavior of the Coalition count for the country’s European future?”, the 33rd 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”
It was a challenging debate with relative success; nevertheless, it was a step forward towards an improved political culture in Moldova. Considering the alarming circumstances in which the electoral period, in fact, started in our country, IPN intended to bring together key figures from the component parties of the Pro-European Coalition to discuss these issues and potentially find solutions together. The major problem is that the governing parties are in the middle of a covert, yet serious information war against one another, and their behavior can have a negative impact on the outcome of the November 30 election and, consequently, on the country's pro-European perspective. In light of this, invitations to join the debate were sent to, and were accepted by the Liberal-Democratic leader Vlad Filat, the Democratic leader Marian Lupu and the Liberal Reformist leader Ion Hadârcă, but only Vlad Filat eventually showed up. However, we can consider that the goal was achieved, because the debate provided the occasion, for the first time in the ongoing electoral period, to discuss the matter and to explain it to the general public, as well as to identify some solutions to the existing issues. It was an insightful, equidistant and convincing approach, thanks to the high level of competence of the Project’s standing expert Igor Boţan, executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT. The instructive effect was amplified by the presence of media representatives, with three of the present cameras broadcasting the event live. Later that evening, the public station Radio Moldova, which is the radio with the greatest geographical coverage, broadcast a 1 hour program from the debate.
The connection between the two elements of the subject – the future of Moldova’s European course and the electoral behavior of the Coalition members – is evident and is direct: the image and the prospects of the European course is largely shaped by the steps taken by the Pro-European Coalition and its components, by their behavior inside the parties, between the parties, and as a whole entity, in relation to the society. Moreover, the image of the European path and the image of the Pro-European Coalition tend to overlap. This represents both an advantage for the Coalition in the ongoing election campaign and a responsibility for the election’s outcome, which will have a great geopolitical stake, determining the country’s either westward or eastward direction. In this respect, any disturbance in the behavior and image of the Coalition can upset the European course of the country. Compounding this is a practical concern: the Coalition parties are in the middle of a covert information war, which manifests itself especially in the media, on the social networks, blogs and other platforms.
In particular, the speakers in the debate agreed that the dissentions which appear inside parties and between them are natural and even necessary processes as long as they do not exceed certain limits and do not obstruct the country’s development goal. The way they take place is generally typical of the Moldova political class, both to the pro-European segment and the pro-Eastern segment.
Vlad Filat, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM), stated that all the political parties must show responsibility. “Not only the ruling parties, but also all the election runners must have a civilized behavior. We will propose signing an accord and do not have to do it in a public manner, but we should do it at least at the level of commitments between the election contenders, pursuing this objective of civilized participation in the election campaign, which is in the direct interest of the voters and the parties involved,” said the former Prime Minister.
The leader of the PLDM called on the political parties of the pro-European coalition not to forget about the care for the country during the campaign. “The behavior of the government coalition will influence not only the electoral goal, but also the way in which Moldova will be governed in this period of time. The fact that we are in an election campaign does not mean that the responsibility for governance is shifted from the parties. That’s why simultaneously with the participation in the elections, the political parties must also ensure the appropriate government of the country.”
The project’s permanent expert Igor Botan, director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT, said he is not very concerned. “The parties are living organisms and processes take place inside them. The dangerousness of these disagreements inside the parties depends on their institutionalization level. Is it normal? Sure it is!” said the analyst. He noted that splits have recently occurred both on the left, inside the Communist Party, and on the right, inside the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democratic Party. “I would like these disagreements to exist, but to remain inside the party. The politicians must struggle inside parties,” he stated.
Igor Botan explained that the party is a vehicle that brings good people from civil society to politics. There are no other vehicles. If these are vehicles, most of us are drivers and we know that the vehicles must be looked after, even if we can be dissatisfied with them. He reminded about the visit to Moldova by Tony Blair’s former adviser, who told about the misunderstandings between Blair and Gordon Brown, underlining that the two cared for the party and took care not to undermine it. “The only fear is that these vehicles may suffer a breakdown,” stated Igor Botan.
Vlad Filat agreed with the political analyst. “There can be certain deviations, but we must all together insist that the limits should not be exceeded. The objective for the coming elections is to make sure that they are free and fair and that the people have the right to choose, not only to vote,” he stated.
The Agency published 7 news stories on the debate (see the English version of www.ipn.md): on 26.09.14, “Disagreements inside and between parties are normal, but only within limits, IPN debate” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/64737; on 27.09.14, „PLDM will insist on direct election of head of state, Vlad Filat” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/64753; “There is an undeclared information war between parties, IPN debates” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/64742; on 29.09.14, “Regional context will keep Moldova on European path, Igor Botan” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/64757; “ Abolition of visas by EU, Turkey and Israel is a present for Christians from Moldova, Igor Botan” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/64758; “European integration must not be promoted as an anti-Russia project, IPN debate” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/64759; “Civil society and understanding between parties can ensure civilized elections, IPN debate” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/64760.
Valeriu Vasilica, director of IPN