The Republic of Moldova needs political elite for the Europeanization of society, which would de facto fight corruption. In 2010-2012, there were so-called pro-European political forces, but they gave false signals that they fight corruption. Currently, there are pro-European political parties in the Republic of Moldova, but they should obey particular norms and procedures, while the reforms they encourage should be with an impact on the whole society, political analyst Ion Tăbârță, international relations expert, stated in IPN’s public debate “EU’s calculations in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova – navigating between political crisis, reforms and influence of Russia”.
The expert said that even if the EU trusts Maia Sandu, it is looking for other credible political players in our country. The European Union is also looking for other players than political ones that would do reform in Moldova. It goes to representatives of the local public authorities, civil society, the mass media.
According to Ion Tăbârță, there is now a black and white dispute between the political forces in Moldova. The “white” is gathered around the incumbent President Maia Sandu, who is perceived as an element of change, while the “black” is the political parties that come from the oligarchic environment. The EU gave clear signals that it supports Maia Sandu.
The international relations expert stated that in such EaP countries as Georgia, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the geopolitical influence of Russia still exists and this prevents many of the EU initiatives from working.
“The EU signals are common for Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, namely that the justice sector reform should be done and corruption should be fought to ensure the European integration. There are clan, group interests in these countries, but the interests of the state should prevail and the EU is ready to support the interests of societies in these countries. Unlike Ukraine and Georgia, the Republic of Moldova is a pro-European country, while Ukraine and Georgia are rather Euro-Atlantic states. In Ukraine, things concerning integration into the EU are much more difficult, this country being larger than Georgia or the Republic of Moldova. In Georgia, things are clear. There is a dispute between two political forces there and these both are aimed at the U.S.,” stated Ion Tăbârță.
“After 2014, it seemed that Ukraine was coming closer to the EU, but pro-Russian movements started to appear in this state. However, pro-European hopes are tied to the incumbent President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. The pro-European parties in Ukraine are rather nationalist and this creates particular problems in the relationship with Brussels.”
The public debate “EU’s calculations in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova – navigating between political crisis, reforms and influence of Russia” is the 177th installment of IPN’s project “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
