The Democratic Party’s behavior after 2014 was unsatisfactory for both the West and Russia, and the participation of the main geopolitical actors in the resolution of the crisis in Moldova should be considered “a phenomenon”, stated political scientist Victor Stepaniuc at a public debate organized by IPN and Radio Moldova to discuss the recent transfer of power in Moldova.
“It is surely a phenomenon, but we should note that there were cases when the great powers reached compromises on particular positions, in particular areas and regions of the globe. The case of the Republic of Moldova does not seem so difficult to me as the Democratic Party, its behavior especially after 2014, surely could not satisfy the West or Russia. If we speak about the United States of America or the European Union, these important geopolitical players surely wanted to increase their influence in the Republic of Moldova, but they wanted the regime on which they counted to be democratic, with important results in the social and economic life. This European modernization that was promised to our people first before 2009 and especially after 2009 should produce particular results. Ultimately, the foreign diplomats who work here, in the Republic of Moldova, know how to analyze and they follow our social, political and economic phenomena every day. They weekly draw up reports on what is going on in Moldova. The Democratic Party regime could no longer be satisfactory especially after the $1 billion fraud”, says Stepaniuc.
According to him, foreign partners could also not be satisfied with the fact that during many years the law enforcement didn’t want to look for those responsible. Trust could not be gained also when it was evident that it wasn’t clear where the money provided by the West for projects went. “The modification of the legislation, the Constitutional Court’s decisions, creation of paramilitary detachments and many other things showed that it was a regime with totalitarian features that actually did not exist in Europe earlier. No dictator afforded paramilitary detachments during the past 30 years,” noted Victor Stepaniuc.
According to him, “the way in which the powers were seized and put under the control of the Democratic Party has never been met in Europe, when the judicial system is controlled, when judges are afraid and it is not clear why and who they are afraid of. The prosecution service became a monster that does not obey national sovereignty, the Constitution and the people and knows only to start criminal cases against political opponents. This shows it is in the service of the given party.”
“It is a new phenomenon and the West noticed it when the ruling Democratic Party was criticized and met with the opposition of the left and of the right. It is actually a case that is not frequently met in the political life,” stated Victor Stepaniuc.
Stepaniuc says that the two entities forming the governing coalition today showed willingness to compromise after elections. “Undoubtedly the West noticed this and this was in correspondence with the long-term interest to modernize our country, to achieve more influence in the region, I’m talking about the so-called Regional Security. And that suited the Russians, the Americans, and the European Union,” said Victor Stepaniuc.
Still, Stepaniuc thinks this is a temporary solution as each foreign force will try to strengthen its position in Moldova. “It was simpler for the EU, because even before the elections, as well as after, they showed little confidence in the Democratic Party. For the Americans taking a decisive stance was more difficult, but they did it eventually, because within the Democratic Party itself voices appeared that were against confrontations”.
“A mobilizing moment was when politicians emerged from what now has become the governing coalition and decided to leave conflicts and geopolitical contradictions on the second burner in an attempt to organize a government with a concrete agenda”, says Stepaniuc.
While this agenda is limited, notes Victor Stepaniuc, a revision of it could allow Moldovan society to form as a consolidated nation, with ideals and plans for a more prosperous future. “We are a small nation, and small nations must catch any wave there is. If today we find it convenient to work with these three partners, why not work with them tomorrow and the day after tomorrow as well?”. Victor Stepaniuc went on to add that Moldova should remain a neutral country that can become a zone of cooperation between the East and the West. “It seems to me that the American and European diplomats understand this particularity of Moldova. We are located in a special region, and therefore there are possibilities for growth”.
On Monday, IPN held a public debate titled “Peaceful transfer of power: reasons, conditions and consequences – the domestic factor”, which brought together representatives of the Demorcratic Party and the bloc ACUM. Socialist and Shor Party representatives were a no-show despite being invited.
The public debate “Peaceful transfer of power: reasons, conditions and consequences – the foreign factor” is the 112nd installment of the “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” Series held with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
