The fact that the farmers came to Parliament with tractors is a consequence of the behavior of the MPs who didn’t come out to discuss with them. This is the opinion of ex-minister of agriculture Vasile Bumacov, former ambassador of Moldova to Japan. “Following the illegal actions of the state, the government should expect less peaceful reactions. No one wants violence, but in a county where such things happen, something should be done. No one wants the Republic of Moldova to be isolated and poor. We discredit ourselves year by year before everyone. The reputation matters for any country, any citizen,” he stated in IPN’s public debate “What do farmers want? What does Government want or does not want?”, commenting on the authorities’ reaction to farmers’ protests.
Vasile Bumacov said authorities’ reaction starts from the ideology of the ruling party. “It is known that the Communist, Bolshevik, Socialist parties base their ideology on class struggle, while the farmers have always been their biggest class enemy. Under the Soviet rule, this was stated publicly, but now this is not stated so openly. However, the farmers feel that they are ignored and hated by the political elite that are corrupt, deceiving and that destroy the future of the coming generations. Practically half of the country’s exports come from agriculture where work is much harder than the work of MP. The people lost patience. The power should realize that citizens’ patience cannot be tested for ever,” stated the ex-minister.
Vasile Bumacov reminded that in 2013-2014, a lot was said about the benefits of exporting to the Eastern market, while some of the political forces hoped that the famers will protest in that period. However, Romania and the EU remain the main market. The farmers see that the then rhetoric and discussions that the Russian market will be open were deceitful. Russia allowed export through firms from Gagauzia or Transnistria, while the farmers from the other regions had to concede an important part of their revenues to intermediaries. Even if they sell on the European market, the Moldovan producers have to cope with the competition from those who get large subsidies in the European states. They feel this discrimination at a number of levels, including by the announced changes in the VAT rate.
The former minister noted that the largest part of the agricultural production derives from small and medium-sized farms and it is convent for some of the monopolists that are supported by the power for these farms to go bankrupt. Later, the monopolists can purchase farmland at minimum prices. The famers feel that they are marginalized, discriminated and no one wants to listen to them. Working the land, it is hard for them to make profit, especially now that they have debts to banks. Some will leave, while others will cultivate foreign land, paying rent to those who are close to the power.
Vasile Bumacov said the farmers’ demand to dissolve Parliament will not be fulfilled. “I don’t think those from Parliament will feel embarrassed for what they did and will reign. I think the Government will be removed, but this should resign itself. But I consider the effect is more important as these discussions will help many people realize the situation. If the authorities destroy this sector, it does not mean that there will be more money in other areas. On the contrary, serious problems will be faced. I think the farmers show to society what the real face of the MPs is and how these treated them, as if they are bandits,” he stated, voicing hope society will better realize what kind of political class rules in Moldova.
The public debate “What do farmers want? What does Government want or does not want?” was the 164th installment of the series “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
