Politics
Municipal Councillors Share Opinion on 2006, Prospects on 2007
Reading Time: 4 minutesMunicipal Councillors Share Opinion on 2006, Prospects on 2007
Victor Odobescu, communist municipal councillor, and also chairman of the Building Committee within the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC), told Info-Prim Neo that the incumbent leadership of the mayoralty is “weak; it starts things, but never finishes them”. Odobescu claims that the City Hall expends too much public funds without informing the CMC beforehand, as the legislation requires. The communist councillor also blames the mayoralty for improperly preparing the materials intended for the CMC sessions; often the councillor face 60-70 draft decisions they have never seen before. As Odobescu claims, there are petitioners who are awaiting CMC decisions for years, while the others are given prior attention because someone secures a speedy entry for their draft decisions to the CMC.
Victor Odobescu states that this year the local authorities have paid little attention to roadworks, given that many roads are in a deplorable state. The wastewater treatment plant issue and other vital projects for Chisinau residents have also been neglected. At present, the Urban Bus Company encounters difficulties, as it is running at loss and might be privatised, says Odobescu.
Councillor Odobescu is not very optimistic about the prospects for 2007, stating that “this is what we have”.
PPCD faction has some doubts too
Although Alexandru Corduneanu, PPCD faction leader, thinks the reform of the capital’s public administration is an accomplishment, he states that “reshuffling the municipality’s staff is not enough. The administration has to be improved as well”. The councillor says local authorities should account for their actions in front of the capital’s residents, and not before “the so called superiors”.
Referring himself to other aspects of the city’s life, Corduneanu complained about the state of the “cultural affairs”, because a strategy “in what concerns the Romanian cultural phenomenon”, is lacking. The CMC Christian democrat leader says that the PPCD faction might come up with numerous proposals in this respect, “which will be hard to refuse”. When asked whether the faction will manage to implement its ambitious plans till the local elections are held, Corduneanu said that “PPCD doesn’t live from poll to poll. We see things in perspectives, including urban design, overcoming traffic jams, and people’s perception of feeling at home”.
The year 2007, says PPCD faction leader, will be half confusing, because it is an electoral year. “It will be an image competition rather than a project-based work” sayd Corduneanu.
Independent councillors claim infringements
Independent councillor Mihai Severovan says that the year 2006 was marked by multiple infringements of land-related rules. Many of these bring to view the dominance of interest groups over urbanism rules. This is the reason why the Urbanism General Plan has to be implemented as soon as possible, a community law which will deter such violations further on, says Severovan.
“Ravnopravie” councillor blames Mayor for lack of progress
Councillor of the social-political movement “Ravnopravie” Valeri Climenco thinks that the most concerning event of the year in Chisinau is “the red-orange coalition’s attempt to close down the municipal stations Antena C and Euro TV”.
Climenco believes that this year has favoured the impoverishment of the population, and blames what he calls the “red-orange coalition chaos” for destroying what we hold dear, for taking hold of goods, and for lobbying their parties’ representatives.
“This year was a tough one; even if some roads were repaired, there are still numerous problems the capital city confronts with. Just a few meters from downtown, roads are full of pits, there is no sewerage, no public lights, and the residents are buried in waste”, says Climenco, adding that “the situation hasn’t changed much since Ursu took the chair.”
As the councillor says, the biggest achievement of the incumbent administration of the City Hall is the reconstruction of the “Eternity” Memorial, although he finds shortcomings in this issue as well. He says the things built in a hurry and at a cost of one hundred million lei are now falling apart.
Speaking about the prospects for 2007, Valeri Climenco hopes that the local administration will change after elections. “I trust that competent people will come to serve the citizens, who will care for this city and its residents, and will not rip off the capital, as it is happening nowadays”, added Climenco.
AMN faction says Mayor should be held responsible for expending public funds without CMC consent
AMN councillor Oleg Cernei told Info-Prim Neo that in this year interim Mayor Vasile Ursu has committed severe violations of the legislation, and suggested both the Centre for Economic Crimes and Corruption and the General Prosecution Office to handle them.
According to Cernei, Ursu has expended over 200 million lei lacking prior projects, and without CMC consent, which is the sole distributor of public finances in the local administration.
At the same time, says AMN councillor, Ursu loaned without CMC consent MDL 50 mln from the Banca de Economii bank for erecting the Eternity Memorial, for restoring Pan Halippa Street, and refitting the model-districts. At present, the Ministry of Finance refuses to cover this loan, claims Cernei, adding that Ursu’s expenditures surpass the amount allegedly embezzled, and indicted for, by the former leadership of the city hall.
However, Cernei listed some positive things occurred in 2006, among which reparation of several roads, backed by the CMC, and the emergence of a small but solid team of municipal councillors, which confronts an entire army of councillors who come to the CMC sessions having given orders by the government party and Iurie Rosca in person, says Cernei.
Referring himself to the next year, AMN councillor expressed hope that it would lead to changes, due to unified democratic forces, which would change things both in the country and in the capital city. // Info-Prim Neo
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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