The pandemic context of the parliamentary elections in Romania is important, but the European and Euro-Atlantic context is more important. Romania made considerable progress and during the past four years became the main strategic partner of the U.S. in the Black Sea Basin. “I consider these things should be taken into account when speaking about the parliamentary elections in Romania and I think these partnerships somehow direct citizens’ sympathies to particular political forces,” the standing expert of IPN’s project Igor Boțan stated in the public debate “Parliamentary elections in Romania: what Moldovans with Romanian nationality know about them and what they vote?” that was staged by IPN News Agency.
“Among these political forces can be the PNL, which is part of the largest family of European parties and is the party that contributed to the replacement of the Social-Democrats who associated themselves with corruption in Romania. There were great sympathies also for the USR, but something happened during the last few years and they followed a downward path. Also, the PSD had very developed bodies in counties in Romania, but they fell and now recover slightly, but the story with Liviu Dragnea caused damage to the party. Traian Băsescu’s party depends on the vote in Moldova for passing the election threshold and Traian Băsescu won his seat of MEP owing to the vote in the Republic of Moldova,” said Igor Boțan.
He noted that the Moldovans with Romanian nationality who are in Europe realize that they can built a new path in life and can make progress owing to the Romanian passport and this is for sure. The choice for most of those from the diaspora is easy – the pro-European parties and parties that are not involved in corruption scandals are sympathized with a priori. The details matter as there were people who four years ago were impressed by the USR, but now incline to the PNL.
In another development, Igor Boțan said a part of the citizens in the Republic of Moldova were part of different political movements in Moldova, which referred to the unionists idea, such as Action 2012. “As a result of the activity of this, many questions and disappointment with this movement appeared, not yet with the Romanian idea. The general perception is that Romania is part of the European Union and is a very active element of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance, which is a very powerful enticement for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova as they realize that they can contribute for Romanian to remain on the same path and to open up new opportunities for them,” he stated.
Igor Boțan noted he saw that Maia Sandu and Andrei Năstase invited the citizens in the Republic of Moldova with Romanian nationality to support the PNL and he considers this will have an impact. However, Traian Băsescu’s party will gain more votes in Moldova as the people have the feeling of gratitude for the fact that they could become citizens of Romania and could solve a lot of problems.
The public debate “Parliamentary elections in Romania: what Moldovans with Romanian nationality know about them and what they vote?” was the 160th installment of the series “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
