„…the UK, even if it decided to leave the European Union, will anyway remain in the heart of Europe owing to the respected democratic principles. Due to the same principles, the Moldovans who work legally in the UK do not have to worry about something, while the Republic of Moldova has a lot to work in this regard because the democratic principles in Moldova have been discredited”. These are some of the thoughts formulated for IPN by Moldovan Ion Vasilica, who settled in the UK long ago.
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Almost every time that different events take place in the UK, I think how they would act in Moldova in similar conditions. I must admit that I often remain disappointed about what’s going on in my native country…

Brexit is an event of the category of those whose results will be clear in ten years. It is now too early to say what dominates – the pluses or minuses. For me, it is clear that in this case they respect the general line of the country, declared by Lord Palmerston, who was Prime Minister in 1855-1858 and 1859-1865. The impression that England does not have friends, but only interests has circulated since then. Another famous Premier, Winston Churchill, (1940-1945 and 1951-1955) proved this by skillfully maneuvering in the country’s interests.

I think that today’s move is also in the interests of the UK. But I now want to refer not to the results, motives or the impact, but only to the principles and procedures that followed the referendum and, surely, I think how I would have acted at home.

Many years ago, during the elections, ex-Prime Minister David Cameron promised a referendum where the country could decide if the Brits would stay or leave. The promise wasn’t forgotten and the referendum was thus held on June 24, 2016.

I now remember the words of a candidate for President of Moldova, who said, after winning: “One can promise a lot during elections…” Comments are useless.

The referendum had the known result: 52% for leaving the EU. The country practically split into two.

The situation here makes me think about events in the countries without democratic traditions. Those who were ‘wronged’ or those who lost surely take to the streets. The non-recognition of results, slogans DOWN, violence, destruction of buildings, shootings, human casualties follow. Those who destroy buildings and documents and kill people become heroes. ‘Revolutions’ of different colors and names appear this way. As a result, the country is divided and thrown ten years backward. There are many countries with such a fate and Moldova is surely among them.

There were demonstrations in London too, but only peaceful. I saw no European Commissioner crying in the Trafalgar Square that the UK is the European Union. I saw no EU official urging not to recognize the referendum result. I didn’t see and didn’t hear national or foreign state officials handing out biscuits in the square and calling for an overthrow... I don’t know why, but everyone understood that this is an internal problem of the country and only its residents have the right to decide.

There were also petitions with almost 4 million signatures online, with the request to hold a new referendum...

There were also eccentric ideas: only London should remain in the EU......

The scenario could have been different in another country, not yet in the UK. I never doubted that something unpleasant can happen. Democracy here has been cultivated long. The democratic principles became too deep-rooted in society. The country where the Magna Carta Libertatum appeared in 1215 and on which the Constitutions are based in most of the countries cannot act in a different way.

In the period, ALL the government and opposition officials, those who voted for and those who voted against, said that they live in a democratic country and recognize the plebiscite outcome and no other referendum can exist.

Brexit means Brexit! Which is the results are not discussed, but are recognized. The results were recognized in the EU too.

Afterward, the leaders of the interim government and of the opposition resigned without great social tremors.

Even if she voted against the exit from the EU, the new Prime Minister Tereza May said she will make the necessary contribution to fulfilling the wish of the majority and to maintaining the country’s integrity.

Strange things happened in the UK from the viewpoint of the logic of Moldovan rulers. I cannot imagine high-ranking officials or party leaders voluntary resigning because of evident failures or non-delivered promises.

As regards the fate of many Moldovans (and not only), who work legally in the UK, I do not see reasons for concern. Firstly, the officials announced that those who work make a considerable contribution to the country’s economy. Secondly, in the UK they do not use to make sudden, revolutionary moves, overnight. They do everything moderately and calmly. Even the exit from the EU will be slow, with negotiations and protection of the national interests. Here, they do not use to change street names or to destroy monuments according to who comes to power or what course the country follows.

It is surely impossible to stage campaigns of the type Baggage-Terminal – and then - Moldova, Romania, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland etc. This is impossible!

There could be particular restrictions, first of all when entering the country. They will allow as much freedom as the national economic interests need. There will surely be restrictions for those who come only after social benefit. But the moves here will also be unhurried and temperate, in accordance with the country’s interests.

For me, Brexit is a lesson that should be studied and applied in Moldova. We must embrace and implement the democratic principles. It seems to be so simple: to promise only what you can do; if you promised something, you must keep the promises; if you do not succeed, you should resign and accept that someone can do something better than you. If you lost when being in minority, you must respect the decision of the majority. All the problems must be solved not by revolutions, but calmly, by evolution and in accordance with the Country’s INTERESTS, not the group of personal interests.

A lot of work should be done here because the democratic principles in Moldova have been discredited so far.

While the UK, even if it decided to leave the European Union, will anyway remain in the heart of Europe owing to the respected democratic principles.
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Ion Vasilica, 62, has lived in London together with his family for 14 years. He has British nationality and more than theoretical interest in what is going on at home.