The conducting of the electoral process is one of the crucial elements of the functioning of states. If this takes place with shortcomings and irregularities, the country’s image before the international partners, investors and the people is the worst affected. It is important that the presidential elections be held by observing all the conventions and standards, in conditions of full transparency, so that a candidate whose legitimacy will not be questioned by anyone is elected President, the Ambassador of Poland to the Republic of Moldova Bartłomiej Zdaniuk stated in IPN’s public debate “Presidential elections in the diaspora and geopolitics”.
The ambassador said that he was a witness to cases when the result announced after the elections was different from what was expected and such reactions as the events of 2009 followed in the Republic of Moldova. Moldova is close to the EU geographically, intellectually, spiritually, linguistically and there should be no he gap between the two. “In order to build bridges, steps should be taken by both of the sides and particular rules should be accepted and the people’s opinion should be taken into account,” stated the diplomat, adding that the elections can be compared with a renewal. According to him, democracy should be maintained, cared for and the government system should keep pace with the development. That’s why elections take place once in several years and the people should have discussions about the country, the country’s development as part of these, not necessarily from geopolitical viewpoint, and these events should be held with dignity.
The ambassador noted the particularities of the Poles, who obtained real independence only 31 years ago, are very close to those of the Moldova’s. Poland managed to do particular things, while other countries, like Moldova, didn’t manage to do the same to a similar extent. “Why was it so? These questions should be put and then one should go on,” stated Bartłomiej Zdaniuk.
In another development, the diplomat said the message transmitted by Poland in connection with the presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova, alongside another 18 states, is not political, but refers to the conditions in which these elections will be held. “We advanced a lot in the dialogue with Moldova. There is an Association Agreement and there is a dialog that got an important dimension and it is very important not to neglect this thing and to do what the sides assumed”.
According to the diplomat, it is very important that the Republic of Moldova be attractive and respected to a greater extent. “We can make all kinds of statements, can make many visits, diplomatic summits and can sign absolutely everything, but there is another barometer that I consider is much more pertinent: business, capital, investments, business people or ordinary people. The question is, why do the people leave the country? Why doesn’t or can’t the foreign capital come? We could then reach the conclusion that there are shortcomings, obstacles that make this county to be not fully attractive,” noted Bartłomiej Zdaniuk.
The public debate “Presidential elections in the diaspora and geopolitics” was the 156th installment of the series “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
