It is regrettable that the unionist movement does not fully exploit the historical dimension to support the unionist narrative and platform, stated historian Octavian Ticu, of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. In the public debate “Starting positions of political parties and potential independent candidates on unionist platform before an electoral year”, which was the 82nd installment of the series “Developing political culture by public debates”, staged by IPN News Agency, he said the idea of the Union with Romania can be implemented through a number of steps, including those decided by MPs or political blocs.
Octavian Ticu said is absolutely evident that a coalition of the unionist and pro-European forces would remove the stigma attached to unionists, who are said to be playing Plahotniuc’s game, given that many of the actions by organizations and parties created on this segment are suspected of being taken in collusion with the current government. The explanation derives from the easiness with which new unionist forces are formed and events are organized at a time when it was hard to organize such events until now.
He noted that how to unite the healthy political forces in the confrontation with the current government is an important reflection element. “This can be a moment for pondering over the dramatic situation in which we are and I agree that this extended union between the unionists and Europeanists is absolutely necessary. There are arguments in this regard both from the unionists and from the Europeanists,” said the historian.
Octavian Ticu stated he does not believe in the profile of a unionist candidate in a single-member constituency and drew a parallel with historical events, when the Moldovan Bloc held a majority in electoral constituencies and had domination, but Ion Pelivan, who was the symbol image of unionism, conceded his post to Ion Inculet, who came from Russia and represented the pan-Russian spirit.
“I drew this parallel to show that even if we speak about a life and death situation when there is no future after 2018, there are two alternatives: one of Eurasian origin that embraces the current pro-European government, the Party of Socialists, PPEM, Shor Party and many other satellite parties that the Democratic Party gathered around it, and the rest of the Moldovan society that has two alternatives: to try particular forms of political union of unionist or pan-European origin or to reach an agreement by coopting all the political forces from outside the oligarchic system,” stated the historian.
Octavian Ticu also said that the Great Union in 1918 was made because the Moldovan Bloc, by consensus, attracted the Socialists and peasants, who were against the union, but were for the interest of Bessarabia, on its side, by concessions. However, in 1991 the People’s Front of Moldova lost owing to its approaches and contributed to the exclusion of the elements that maintain the umbrella of the Romanian future of the Republic of Moldova.
“Surely, if we look at the arithmetic evolution of the unionist parties, we will see that there were two parliamentary parties that gained between 9% and 16% of the vote in different historical periods. There are two important factors that explain this minuscular character of the unionist voters, namely: the integrity of leaders and the complicity of the great powers, like Russia,” concluded the historian.
The public debate “Starting position of political parties and potential independent candidates on unionist platform before an electoral year” is the 82nd installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are organized with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
The next debate entitled “Starting position of political parties and potential independent candidates before an electoral year” will take place in the conference hall of IPN News Agency on November 27, starting at 2pm. This will involve representatives of the Eurasian dimension of the political landscape.
