Being unable to import a positive image from its direct relations with the EU after the recent worsening of the dialogue, the Democratic Party uses the introduction of the European course in the Constitution as a generator of association with the EU, political pundit Dionis Cenușa noted in a feature article for IPN Agency.
According to the expert, the government’s motivation to exploit this initiative is diverse and is focused on multiple electoral aspects.
First of all, the European integration embraces both positive ideas and experiences with which large sections of society automatically and voluntarily associate themselves. The latest polls point to a revitalization of the European predisposition among Moldovans. That’s why the government does nothing but make use of a free political asset that other parties cannot or do not want to capitalize on the same way.
The second thing derives from the DPM’s wish to diminish the presence of the opposition trusted by the EU in the future legislature. For these reasons, regardless of the result of the referendum planned by the government, the opposition risks being struck frontally or laterally. But the direction of DPM’s actions will depend on the result of the interpretation that will come from the Constitutional Court. If the Court allows holding a plebiscite on the election day, contrary to the current ban that prohibits the holding of referendums 60 days before and after the elections, the government will manage to impose a difficult dilemma on the pro-EU opposition.
On the one hand, the opposition will be attentive as to the boycotting of the referendum by the model of the one on the dismissal of Dorin Chirtoacă (of November 2017), as it can discourage the voters’ participation in the elections held simultaneously with the referendum. On the other hand, the leaders of the opposition will have to promote active participation in the vote. This indirectly can contribute to the success of the referendum.
Thirdly, the parties that oppose the government involuntarily have to distance themselves from the pro-European rhetoric that was undertaken by force by DPM and its partners. The pro-EU political forces weren’t able to absorb the whole pro-European potential of the voters earlier too.
Owing to the Democrats‘ acts, new groups of voters will either neutralize the geopolitical preferences or will refrain from active policy as no party embraces the European aspirations in an authentic and exhaustive way, concluded the expert.
