The warnings issued by the development partners show they are no longer willing to tolerate the backsliding in the Republic of Moldova. This idea is seen both in the conditions imposed on Moldova by the Council of Europe and the European Parliament and in the most recent speech given by the U.S. Ambassador in Chisinau Dereck J. Hogan in front of students of the State University of Moldova, political commentator Alexei Tulbure was quoted by IPN as saying in the program “Expertise hour” on Jurnal TV channel.

“There is no place for interpretations, if the elections do not meet the democratic requirements. Those €100 million does not come and the cooperation and dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union also does not improve,” stated Alexei Tulbure.

According to him, the next elections are very important as they represent a test of the political class and of the society’s capacity to stick to democratic procedures and exercises. “If this democratic exercise is not recognized according to international standards on elections, we will witness a different situation,” said Alexei Tulbure.

He noted the U.S. ambassador’s speech is a continuation of the messages addressed to Moldova by the foreign partners in the recent past.

Former MP Stela Jantuan said for the Western partners it is important to see how the situation develops in Moldova  after the elections of February 24 and what direction the country will follow by forming the parliamentary majority in the context of the regional configuration and as regards international security. “I speak about the presidential elections that will take place in Ukraine after the parliamentary elections in Moldova,” stated Stela Jantuan.

According to her, in his speech the U.S. ambassador warned that the Unites States attentively follows the developments in the Republic of Moldova to see if the country keeps the European course or not after the elections.

In a speech before students of the Faculty of International Relations, Political and Administrative Sciences of the State University, Ambassador Dereck J. Hogan said the elections of February 24 are the next crucial test for the Republic of Moldova. This is a critical moment in the country’s democratic development. “In the meetings I had with your leaders from all over the country, I clearly stated that the United States calls on the Moldovan authorities of all levels to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process where all the candidates can take part in equal conditions without fearing they will be harassed and intimidated, and above all, to ensure the respect for the people’s will after the elections,” said Dereck J. Hogan.