[ - How was the political year 2008 for Moldova and what are your forecasts for 2009?] - 2008 was a specific year and, as it comes before the 2009 parliamentary elections, a typical pre-electoral year. We see it in all the spheres of the society when we speak about freedom of the media or when the money is unfairly distributed from the state budget. The coming legislative elections have already an impact on us, while the political developments in 2009 will be determined by the election outcome. Everybody understands yet that Moldova enters a new, different stage of its history that will change the proportion of political forces and the whole society. [ - 2008 ends eight years of Communist government and two consecutive terms of office of President Vladimir Voronin. What are the distinctive features of this period?] - It was a rather controversial period. On the one hand, we saw political stability as the ruling party had full control over the executive. Consequently, the government could fulfill all its plans aimed at improving the living conditions of the people and bringing Moldova closer to the standards of the Western democracies. But it was a Moldovan-type stability based on the dominance of a single party which was unable or even unwilling to efficiently cooperate with the other political forces in order to ensure an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding. On the other hand, during all these years the Government has only carried out orders from outside and has not fulfilled the task of managing the society on the basis of viable projects and strategies worked out independently and professionally. Internationally, Moldova has the image of a hesitant country that has not yet set its priorities and that unfortunately does not have many friends abroad. Now, at the end of his term, Vladimir Voronin is in conflict with his party colleagues and with all the other parties. I don’t think that the Moldovan people and Moldova’s foreign partners want such a situation. [ - What does your party intend to obtain in the 2009 legislative elections and what effects will the elections have on Moldova?] - A number of factors show that we will have a coalition government after the 2009 elections. The free and fair elections are an indispensable precondition for post-electoral political stability, while the political stability is a precondition for an efficient European integration process. After the coming parliamentary elections, we will have to bring Europe in Moldova. Therefore, our politicians will have to be democratic not only in speeches but also in their acts. This means openness for a constructive dialogue, taking of responsibility, political will, etc. In order to bring Europe in Moldova, we will have to implement concrete measures. Only this way, will we be able to lay the basis for a state of law that provides safety and prosperity to its people and, besides this, will be a predictable partner for our immediate neighbors and for the whole international community.