Instead of solving the real problems of the country, the Moldovan political class continues to resort to populism, which every time serves as a “lifebuoy”, in particular for crisis situations, Dionis Cenusa says in an opinion article for IPN.
The politologist considers the Moldovan populism, similar to the populism in Europe, Russia or other regions, consists in the accusing of foreign players of the failures and non-accomplishments at home.
In particular, the populist politicians replace the care for the whole society by a struggle for the cause of vulnerable groups.
According to Dionis Cenusa, now that the presidency was taken over by Socialist Igor Dodon, the populism of the pro-European forces is complemented by that of the pro-Russian opposition. The latter one is more sophisticated and, in parts, more harmful than the populism of the pro-European forces.
As a panacea for all Moldova’s problem, the ruling pro-European parties regularly utter the entry into the EU. Also, Russia and the pro-Russian opposition are exemplified as obstacles to the present and future reforms.
The politologist believes the pro-Russian forces’ populism is for now in the ascendant and will become noticeable if and when the pro-Russian opposition gains power as a result of the legislative elections of 2018.
According to Dionis Cenusa, the pro-Russian opposition led by President Igor Dodon labels Romania as a “foreign enemy” for the fact that it indirectly supports the unionist movement. The EU and the U.S. are also considered such enemies, being to blame for keeping in power pro-European, but corrupt governments in 2009-2016.
More recently, Igor Dodon criticized the nongovernmental sector, which got funds for launching the anti-Russian rhetoric in Moldova. Also, the sexual minorities are maintained in the category of “scapegoats”.
The new pro-European opposition of Moldova (Party “Action and Solidarity”, Platform “Dignity and Truth”), which is for now extra-parliamentary, uses similar populist rhetoric. This tends to blame Plahotniuc for all the problems faced by Moldova, while the emerging pro-Russian opposition is blamed for all the future problems.
In conclusion, Dionis Cenusa says the failure in counteracting populism means less European integration and fewer reforms. This will increase the fragility of Moldova and also the number of Moldovans willing to terminate the social contract with the state with which they find it increasingly difficult to identify themselves.
