In 2007, the Communist Party renounced the idea of cooperating with the Opposition. Interview with the Democratic Party leader Dumitru Diacov. SERIES OF INFO-PRIM NEO INVESTIGATIONS “HOW WAS 2007”

[ - How was the political year 2007 for Moldova and what are your political forecasts for 2008?] In 2007, especially after the start of the local electoral campaign, the Communist Party renounced the idea of cooperating with the Opposition forces and began to use the traditional methods of those that embrace the Bolshevik ideology – “who is not with us is against us”. In the previous elections, they used all the possible and impossible methods – intimidation, blackmail, fabrication of legal cases etc. About 150 persons representing our party had been forced to give up running for mayor on behalf of the Democratic Party. But beside the permanent harassment of the Opposition, the Communists will do everything possible, and they already do this, to revive the spirit of confrontation and total separation in our society. They want again to divide the people into “ours” and “theirs”, into “Moldovans” and “non-Moldovans”. By propagandistic brainwashing, they will try to impose sterile confrontations over such false problems as the name of the language, the national identity. They want to make the electorate think not of the galloping prices, the miserable salaries, the parents that leave the children and go abroad to work, but of the question: “are you with the Romanians or with the Moldovans?” [ - What were the most important political events that had a positive impact on Moldova and what were those that influenced negatively Moldova’s development, in your opinion?] I have already spoken about the general local elections. Despite all the problems that existed and continue to exist, these elections produced qualitative changes in our country. It is evident that the Communist party loses ground and their current aggressiveness comes to confirm this truth. After the democracy in our country had degenerated for years, the elections showed that there are real preconditions for rectifying the situation. Even if the democratic alliances formed in the 21 raion councils are confronted by many problems, the tendency is positive and encouraging. It should be noted that a constructive and efficient stability can be obtained only if all the democratic forces cooperate and engage. The Democratic Party always sticks to this principle in its political activity. We tried in every situation to find a compromise in order to promote the interests of the country and of the people. Sometimes we maybe exaggerated our aspirations. But we are convinced that the democratic forces can be successful only if they join their efforts and capacities, first of all the centrist ones. That’s why we are very glad that our colleagues from the Social Liberal Party decided to merge with our party. We welcome the intentions to unify of the Social Democratic Party and of the Social Democracy Party. We hope that these processes will go on and will develop in 2008. We must cope with the challenges prepared by the Communist government. [ - National and international experts says that Moldova lags behind in the areas of justice and mass media. What was done in these areas in 2007 and what is yet to be done?] There is not much to say here because nothing was done. The situation in the broadcasting sector is a relevant example. You can see how our public and unbiased television promotes the new programme of the Communist Party. It makes publicity for free from the money of the voters, including of those that do not support the present government. As regards the legal system... We have a sad situation here. This is not only my opinion, but of the ordinary people too. It is difficult to find justice in Moldova. It will be very difficult to make the people believe again in the legal system. [ - What are your party’s priorities for 2008 and, possibly, for 2009?] Of course we will prepare for the parliamentary elections of 2009. But our party will not forget about the current problems of the people, of the country. Through our representatives in the local administrations and through our parliamentary group, we will make effort to solve the problems or at least to suggest solutions. At the same time, we do not have illusions anymore. The Government does not even pretend to cooperate with the Opposition.