IPN interview with Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga, deputy chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM)

- Missis Minister, the Government recently approved a bill that institutes a 40% quota on women’s representation in the political and public decision-making process. Is society ready for this?

-Sometimes we must prepare society, not only wonder whether it is ready or not. I think that any person with open thinking understands well the benefits of the involvement of women in politics and administration. In the developed countries everywhere, politics is no longer regarded as the men’s area. This prejudice was overcome and Moldova must adjust itself if it wants to joint the club of democratic countries. We cannot remain in the 21st century with a mentality of the 19th century. 

- Will this law change the existing mentality?

- I don’t think it will change the mentality overnight. But changes will definitely appear in a period. I’m very glad that such a law, for which we pleaded openly, was accepted in Moldova. It is a sign that things change and we slowly become a more equitable society.

- How do your party colleagues look at this approach?

- My party colleagues supported and promoted the women before the appearance of this law as well. I was the only woman minister during three years. Afterward, my colleague Monica Babuc was named Minister of Culture. So, on behalf of the PDM, the women are represented in the Government and politics. You will see that after the adoption of this law, the public decisions will be of a higher quality and the involvement will be more balanced.

- What are the reasons for such assertions?

- First of all we have many women who are prepared politically and professionally. As head of the women’s organization of the PDM, I know many colleagues who showed that they know to manage well the posts they hold. I also count on the practical spirit of women. As a woman knows best how to keep a household, she will also know how to do well in a public post, no matter how complex it is. Lastly, we know how hardworking our women can be.

- In a recent intervention, Vladimir Voronin accused the PDM of buying new party members. Can you comment on this?

- I think that Voronin should first of all see what is happening in his yard as the people leave his party while he is looking over the fence, in the neighbor’s yard, and he will find himself alone. Secondly, Voronin insults people only in order to justify his inability to keep the Communist Party (PCRM) united. He lost control over the party and is now justifying himself before the Communist supporters who vote for them. But he does it in an insincere and clumsy way.  The fact that so many people have lately joined the PDM is an effect of the powerful work done at local level, of the consolidation of our local organizations that became much more active and attractive. It’s true that the new members include former Communists who were disappointed by the PCRM and looked for a new political project. They chose the PDM because it meets their expectations. They need a modern leftwing party. That’s why Voronin is angry with the PDM. He feels threatened and he should feel so. We will push him and what remained of the PCRM towards the left extreme, where an extremist party that takes only steps aimed at dividing Moldova belongs.

- What is actually the PCRM concerned about? Can you borrow their social agenda so that their voters migrate to the PDM?

- Maybe they are desperate or envious. The most important motive is in fact that they do not want somebody to destroy their monopoly on the left segment. As the chairman of our party Marian Lupu said, the PCRM monopolized unfairly the leftwing voters and mocked at them by manipulation and lies. We will show the people in what the lies resided and what this party does in reality. As to envy, I will give you a recent example from the work of the ministry I manage. On the International Children’s Day this year, we will provide 8 million lei to socially disadvantaged families. The sum is much higher than last year and is intended to bring hope to thousands of orphans, invalid children and large or one-parent families. This and other examples show that we are a social-democratic party by deeds not by words. This fact makes the PCRM envious. They say that it is the women who are jealous. I think that the heavyweights of the PCRM are extremely jealous of the good things the government coalition does. I think they haven’t yet recovered from the frustration they suffered when the visa regime was liberalized.

- Many say the PCRM wants to form an alliance with one of the pro-European parties after this autumn’s elections. Is Vladimir Voronin pleading now for continuing the European integration course namely for this reason?

- I think that Voronin is confused, as the PCRM is. In the morning they want in the EU, while in the evening they want in the Customs Union already. You should make up your minds, dear Communists. Or even your most ardent supporters will not understand what direction you want to follow. We encourage any party to have a democratic behavior and to understand that the EU means first of all better living standards for Moldovans. The PDM is interested in increasing the quality of life, not in geopolitical stories. We were and remain in favor of good relations with the EU and with Russia and disapprove of the extremist statements. I’m sure that the people also do not approve of those who try to divide the country this way and to cause splitting. An analyst said the PDM should choose between Russia and the EU. Why? In order to be in one or another camp? We are in the camp in which Moldova’s interests are promoted, either it is about the relations with Russia or it is about the relations with the EU. We must focus on what we have in the country and on the people’s needs and should not stage a competition of political statements.

- What are ruling parties’ chances to remain in power?

- We struggle for Moldova to continue the current road so that what was built is not destroyed and we do not lose the openness on the part of those who help us. We do not have another, better road, even if there are many people who criticize this path.

So, I think the people will know in the end to make a difference between what we, the government, offer and what the Communists offer.

- Where does Russia stand on the path followed by Moldova?

- Russia remains one of the very important partners of Moldova and it’s a pity that some try to divide society into pro- and anti-Russia, or into pro- and anti-EU. It seems that some people have nothing to do. Instead of building something for this country, they struggle with those with whom they should be partners. It’s very ugly when someone tries to gain votes by denigrating others. A politician improves his/her rating by doing good things, not by causing damage to others.

What should the people think when they see someone telling them on TV to go towards the EU, while others tell them to go towards Russia? I repeat - this is an unfair method in politics. Instead of struggling to have beneficial partnerships everywhere, some fight to destroy these partnerships. This is not politics for the people’s benefit. This is rather politics for the own benefit.

- Will the coming elections radicalize this type of approach?

- It’s exactly what I said. Some can offer the voters only extremist speeches and radical approaches. The citizens will decide where such politicians should be and we will then be able to draw more conclusions.

- If the coalition wins the elections, can you possibly keep the post of minister?

- I never planned my life based on posts. I’m a person who works hard in any position where I feel that I belong. What I want is for the democratic parties to remain in power. Afterward we will see who and what posts will occupy.

- What is the atmosphere in the Government now? We know that there were tensions between the ministers in the past.

- The atmosphere is good, friendly. We communicate well and this is the most important. I didn’t see tensions between my colleagues. But surely there are dissenting viewpoints that are dealt with in a mature way, without damage. Prime Minister Iurie Leanca plays an important role of mediator here, when problems appear. Other problems are solved by your party leaders within the coalition. It is important that we can discuss openly and can thus avoid misunderstandings. I want to tell you that I feel well in the Cabinet. I’m very glad that we overcame the past political crises and can now be united and work well together.

Valeriu Vasilică, IPN