The priorities of the extraparliamentary parties for the next parliamentary elections are mainly similar to those of the ruling parties, but, in order to garner votes from the people and to come to power, they must be more sincere with the people, who are tired of the current parties, and must achieve the declared priorities and must make less use of the undeclared ones. Such opinions were stated in the public debate “Priorities of the political class and Moldovan society in an electoral year. Position of the opposition” that were staged by IPN News Agency in cooperation with Radio Moldova.
Deputy head of the People’s Movement “Antimafie” Daniela Bodrug said the priorities of a party in the civilized world remain the same, regardless of the period. Moldova faces a series of unsolved problems as, during 20 years, all the parties set out their priorities depending on conjuncture and circumstances, changing their priorities in line with the circumstances. “The Movement “Antimafie” has only one priority – not to allow the Communists to return to power and to eradicate the mafia in Moldova so as to give the people the chance to form part of the great European family,” she stated.
Mihai Magdei, a member of the National Political Council of the Democratic Action Party (PAD), said the party’s priorities for the next elections are to join the EU, to improve the personnel policy based on professionalism, not on political affiliation, and to reanimate the companies processing food products. The PAD has a well-thought-out plan for breaking the deadlock. Moldova needs depoliticized institutions. A deputy minister or a minister should not be party members because they can be anytime dismissed for political affiliation and replaced by a non-professional.
Deputy head of the Green Ecologist Party Andrei Dumbraveanu said the party is a fully-fledged member of the European Green Party. This means that politically the party is taking part in all the programs launched by the Europeans. That’s why the Green Ecologist Party sees Moldova’s future in the EU, while the priorities that will have to be accomplished are commitments concerning the environment and protection of the natural resources. The extraordinary parties that have the same vector should joint efforts and strengthen their positions.
Member of the Permanent Bureau of the People’s Party of Moldova Mihail Camerzan said parties’ priorities derive from the people’s wishes, but they must be put into practice. “Now the parties must say why certain things were achieved, while others were not. Moldova has no chance to develop if everything remains unchanged after the elections. New forces and new views must appear after them. The extraparliamentary parties have no chance if they are unable to join their efforts. The salaries and pensions must be increased in Moldova as it is illogical for them to be lower than the minimum subsistence level,” he stated.
Valerii Gagauz, manager of the young wing of the Party of Socialists’ platform “Patria-Rodina”, said the Moldovan society is now dispersed as some of the parties want Moldova to join the EU, while others want it to join the Customs Union. Moldova needs to keep its integrity by federalization and must recognize the rights of all the national minorities. The problems can be solved by replacing the Liberal model with the Socialist model that is based on the development of science, culture, education and the creation of workplaces.
Executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT Igor Botan, the project’s permanent expert, said that over the 20 years the parties came to power for political and administrative rent, while the extraparliamentary parties have now a great advantage as they can sincerely state their priorities for Moldova’s future.
Political analyst Nicolae Negru said that after 20 years of government, the situation is completely new as new political forces are able to enter Parliament, both from the right and left wings, as society is seriously fragmented and there are many undecided voters. Many parties in Europe came to power because the people were tired of the ruling parties and voted for new ones. “But the new parties must do something to achieve these results. The parties must have a charismatic leader who enjoys popularity and would be more sincere with the people,” stated the analyst.
The public debate “Priorities of the political class and Moldovan society in an electoral year. Position of the opposition” is the 26th of the series “Development of political culture by public debates”, which are supported by the German foundation Hanns Seidel.
