The resolution adopted by the European Parliament on November 14 is rather mild, said political analyst Valeriu Pașa. According to him, gradually the EU institutions, in particular the European Parliament, started to have the same perceptions of the developments in the country as the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Even so, the language in the document is very diplomatic given that it contains all the positive things that occurred in the recent past. The analyst made such statements in the public debate “Impact of the European Parliament’s Resolution of 14.11.2018 on Moldovan political class and society”, which was the 96th installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture through public debates”, staged by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova.
According to the analyst, one can juggle with terms – it is suspension of blocking, political or non-political – but there is a reality that is perceived in the offices of European functionaries and politicians, representatives of embassies of the EU member states, the EU Delegation in Chisinau and what the European Union means in the broadest meaning . Any position expressed by the EU is political a priori. “It is not true that the issue is politicized because the opinions stated in this resolution come only from a parliamentary group that is indeed the most influential one, the EPP. The resolution was adopted by the votes of much more MPs than those of the EPP and the diversity is great,” stated Valeriu Pașa.
He noted the resolution says it clearly: “Dear government of Moldova, we see, know and understand in detail what is happening in the Republic of Moldova, but we leave the door open, which is we offer you the opportunity to review your behavior and to calm down, but don’t continue in the same way by annulling elections and democracy in itself, by daily flouting the Constitution and common sense.”
Valeriu Pașa noted it is for the first time that the Europe institutions speak about concrete examples. Clear reference is made to the case of Ilan Shor, which, in his view, is ridiculous and there is nothing to be judged there. The case is evidently delayed. As to personal sanctions, the analyst said it is a general message as to where the current situation can take Moldova to if it continues the same way. “At a certain moment, key figures who are to blame for different situations of grand corruption and violation of human rights can face personal sanctions, such as blocking of funds and properties, travel bans and other similar things.”
As to analyst Roman Mihăeș’ assertion that the EPPP and ALDE Groups in the European Parliament united against the Democratic Party of Moldova and the Social Democratic Party of Romania, Valeriu Pașa said an official coalition of parties that includes the European People’s Party and the Social Democratic Party exists inside the European Parliament and the SDP delegated members to work on the European Commission, including Frans Timmermans, who acts as First Vice President of the Commission.
The analyst noted the impact of the resolution will be felt first of all by society. In the medium term, the resolution will follow the tendency to improve the EU’s image in Moldova and the popularity of the European integration course that has grown, according to credible polls, for a year already. The change in the EU’s rhetoric is one of the factors that fuels this dynamics as the European Union gradually refuses to ignore the developments in Moldova. “It transmits messages to the people, to civil society and the opposition to resist and defend democracy. However, the resolution will have an impact on the domestic political process as it is a message addressed to the government, especially the leader of the PDM Vlad Plahotniuc.
The debate “Impact of the European Parliament’s Resolution of 14.11.2018 on Moldovan political class and society” forms part of the series of public debates held by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova as part of the project “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
