The protest mounted by farmers in Chisinau recently is actually the third phase of the protests announced by these. This means the first two phases weren’t sufficient and the people weren’t heard. The farmers underlined their importance for the Republic of Moldova, their contribution to the national economy and the state budget as a result of their activity. They are dissatisfied that Parliament during three months did nothing and, instead of solving farmers’ problems, simply ignored them for political reasons. Any citizen probably realizes that if this sector of the economy is destroyed, Moldova will be in a deplorable state, expert Igor Boțan stated in IPN’s public debate “What do farmers want? What does Government want or does not want?”
According to Igor Boțan, now, after three phases of the protest, the farmers reached a level when they impose political conditions. If the Government and Parliament are unable to take decisions and solve problems, why are they needed? As 2020 was an electoral year, the Government provided support to other social sections. The farmers took to the streets not because they want revenues, but rather because they are close to despair.
The expert voiced hope that the protest that is to be resumed tomorrow will not go beyond the legal limits. It is important that the protest continues so that the MPs realize that there is a force with weight that is needed. The events will develop, but depend on the quality of farmers’ protests. The draft budget and other laws weren’t discussed with the farmers either. The MPs adopted the budgetary-fiscal policy and told them that there is no money. The farmers got by several hundred lei per hectare, but this is not enough for paying the debts and for starting agricultural works next year.
Igor Boțan noted that Igor Dodon promised he will solve the problems of Moldova’s experts to the Russian market, but nothing was done. There is a particular list of companies that is negotiated before the elections, but this list includes mainly firms from the Transnistrian region and Gagauzia, while the Moldovan farmers have to export to Russia through intermediaries, losing the largest part of their revenues.
Farmers’ protests were generated by the country’s international isolation, the placing of Moldovan farmers in a disadvantageous situation in relation to the neighbors and the lack of consultations with them. “Surprisingly, the decisions are taken by a majority that is considered specific. This consists of the Socialists, the Shor Party and the remnants of Plahotniuc’s party – entities related to two fugitives. These people form in Parliament a kind of majority, even if they refuse to admit it, and this majority adopts defying decisions. 2020 was an electoral year and 2021 will also be electoral and emphasis is placed on vulnerable groups that represent the electoral pool of political groups. The other forces in Parliament try to discuss with the farmers. The political component of the protests should be taken into account.”
The public debate “What do farmers want? What does Government want or does not want?” was the 164th installment of the series “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
