Press Release
on the organization of the debate “Political communication in times of crisis: public interest vs. narrow political interests”, the 41^st installment of the “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” Series; Public debates series held by the news agency IPN in its conference room with the support of the German Foundation “Hanns Seidel”

Debate #41 brought together Lib-Dem MP Vadim Pistrinciuc, Democrat MP Dumitru Diacov, Igor Boţan, member of the Citizen Platform “Dignity and Truth”, and Victor Juc, vice director of the Science Academy's Institute for Legal and Political Research.

The debate was needed in order to discuss an opinion shared by many that the protest rallies staged in the Great National Assembly Square are beneficial, perhaps even necessary, and reflect quite faithfully the moods existing within Moldovan society today. This is because the country has reached an impasse, perhaps an unprecedented one, which the political class has proved incapable of overcoming by itself. Therefore, an intervention en masse on the part of society is necessary and legitimate, and the protests in the Square are precisely this kind of involvement. Even if we admit that this opinion is not shared by everybody, this is mainly due to the fact that the massive and still enduring protests cause concerns and even apprehension because of the social turmoil and violence they might produce. No need to look far back into history for a relevant example: we can recall the disastrous consequences of the April 2009 events.

Thus, on one hand, we are looking at a phenomenon that is natural enough and arguably necessary, and on the other hand, national and international experience tells us to show maximum precaution to avoid unwanted social consequences. In my opinion, this dilemma can be solved through communication between the sides involved in this social and political dispute, and not just through any kind of communication, but a sincere one, on the part of all the stakeholders, one that pursues the public public interest rather than narrow political interests, which undoubtedly exist. This debate aimed to evaluate this process of communication: how it is unfolding today, how it should be, and what we should expect from it.

The debate's speakers generally agreed that the government and protesters should communicate in the interests of society, should express their wishes and should suggest solutions for remedying the situation. The early elections as a solution are treated differently by the two sides, but both of them agree that the pressure exerted by the protests on the government in the process of overcoming the crisis is beneficial in character, on condition that it does not generate dangers to the country and society.

Vice director of the Institute of Legal and Political Research of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova Victor Juc, expert within the debate, said that in general the protests represent a democratic right, a mechanism for expressing opinions because the lack of communication leads to protests. The peaceful protests are an inherent phenomenon in society. In particular, the permanent protests in Moldova, launched on September 6, are absolutely legitimate because the protesters, in their previous demonstrations, were sincere with the government and announced that they will continue to protest if their demands are not taken into consideration. The protests were thought as a factor of pressure for solving the acute problems. It is important that the protesters should work out long- and medium-term strategies.

Igor Botan, executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT) and a member of the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth”, said the protest movement started when the people were taken by surprise by the ‘theft’ that became a public debt. This information was like an impetus for the people who knew that the politicization of the law enforcement bodies represents the root of evil. The current government should resign to confirm its mandate as it came to power by cheating, hiding the ‘theft of the billion’ before the parliamentary elections. The protesters radicalized their message because the government ignored the demands formulated in the previous protests.

Dumitru Diacov, MP of the Democratic Party, is convinced that the current political class mainly shares the people’s concern and is ready to stay alongside Igor Botan and to demand investigating the theft of the billion. “I, as Mister Botan, have nothing to do with this theft and I also want this case to be clarified as soon as possible and to find out why the institutions do not work efficiently and how we can restore the money. But we must understand that we live in a state that still builds its institutions. Everyone says that the people have the right to protest and that this protest is legal and motivated. But the question is if we want to solve these problems or to create other, more serious problems,” he said, adding that the government and protesters must discuss openly.

Vadim Pistrinciuc, MP of the Liberal Democratic Party, stated that the role of the politicians is to hasten particular processes inside the government, overcoming the resistance points generated by a coalition government. “We have many questions to ourselves and to the institutions that had to prevent the difficulties. Now the protests are staged by a civic platform, which is an innovation, but this platform puts forward also political demands, besides social ones. Such events must be like a catalyst for further determined actions,” he said, noting that the government must identify solutions to show society that it can solve the problems.

The Agency published 5 news stories on the debate (see the English version of www.ipn.md): on 11.09.15, „Government and protesters can and should communicate, IPN debate” - http://ipn.md/en/special/71694; „Victor Juc: Civic activism of people intensified in time” - http://ipn.md/en/special/71695; „Igor Botan: Platform “Dignity and Truth” wants promoters of European integration to be changed” - http://ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/71696; “ Dumitru Diacov: What Platform “Dignity and Truth” does is something positive” - http://ipn.md/en/special/71697; „Vadim Pistrinciuc: Chronic problems of the country are due to system, not to persons” - http://ipn.md/en/special/71699.

Valeriu Vasilica, director of IPN