The foundations of particular areas that continue to function today, including the social, education and health sectors, were laid in 1998-2001, including with the support of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM). In that period, the 24 MPs of the PDM offered political support to the so-called pragmatic government led by Ion Sturza, vice president of the Democratic Party Valentina Buliga, head of the Parliament’s commission on social protection, health and family, stated in the public debate “Independence: steps forward and steps backward, in view of parties that held and hold administrative posts in the state” that was the 93rd installment of the series “Developing political culture by public debates” that are organized by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova.
The MP noted the PDM took part in the consolidation of Independence by different formulas both in the government and in the opposition. In 2005-2009, the party was in the opposition and played an important role then. “There were statements, strategies, laws adopted by 100 MPs. This shows that the national idea proclaimed at that stage, namely the European integration of the Republic of Moldova, united the MPs regardless of the parties of which they formed part,” she stated.
Valentina Buliga said the 27 years of independence witnessed difficulties, but also opportunities that weren’t taken, mistakes and failures that should teach us a lesson, but we should go on. “Indeed, 27 years for a country is not much, but this period is anyway a part of Moldova’s modern history and a written history of the past years is needed,” she noted.
The MP reminded of the first meeting of the four parties that in 2009 formed the Alliance for European Integration and voted in the Government of which she formed part. A lot was done even if mistakes were made and there were political crises or particular processes that should be assumed by each party apart because some of those who held important posts and were to do reforms and strengthen the institutions now criticize. Starting with January 2016, the PDM, alongside other colleagues, assumed the whole process of Moldova’s development and modernization and the determination to do this is maximal, while the changes are visible.
“I personally think the lack of a national idea, of a model of state we would like to build during the 27 years of independence led to mistakes, manipulation and failures that the citizens are yet to forgive. It is important to draw conclusions from these mistakes, to understand that the Republic of Moldova is the country we live in and that we should develop so that the Moldovans who are abroad return home. If the national idea concept had united us all, today Moldova would have probably had a high level of development, democracy and welfare,” stated Valentina Buliga.
She noted she would like political struggles to take place in election campaigns only and the reforms and problems to be assessed pragmatically. All the efforts made in 2016, 2017 and now by the PDM enabled not to block any social project and to raise the salaries and allowances. The departures abroad decreased in number or even stopped. That’s why the current Government proposed a systemic approach to create conditions and offer the citizens the possibility of working at home by developing infrastructure, education, access to services, etc.
The debate “Independence: steps forward and steps backward, in view of parties that held and hold administrative posts in the state” forms part of the series of public debates that are staged by IPN Agency and Radio Moldova within the project “Developing political culture by public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
