Politics
Political year 2006 and forecasts for 2007. Report by Info-Prim Neo
Reading Time: 4 minutesPolitical year 2006 and forecasts for 2007. Report by Info-Prim Neo
The political year 2006 was difficult because of the negative vote of April 4, 2005, the leaders of the extraparliamentary political parties consider.
Moldova remains broken apart in 2006
According to the Humanist Party of Moldova (PUM), the country remained broken apart in 2006 and the government did not manage to solve this problem. The Transnistrian crisis deepened. The situation of the civil society did not improve. A new generation has grown up in the Transnistrian region. It is educated in an anti-Moldova and anti-Romania style. All these confirmed the inappropriate policy of the Government as regards the left bank of Nistru, considers Ion Mereuta, the chairman of PUM.
The situation on the right bank of the river did not change much too. Several parties appeared on the political spectrum. This phenomenon is caused both by the activism of the civil society and the betrayal of April 4 that generated distrust and driven the population to despair. After April 4, the parliamentary parties lost the trust of the population. The communist party has also lost its authority because of the inefficient government and because the second mandate of President Voronin will end soon.
According to the party, the foreign policy promoted by the government is ambiguous and as a result Moldova could find itself isolated, despite Europeanisation and globalisation. This deficient foreign policy tensioned the relations with Romania, Ukraine, Russia and disturbed the export relations of Moldova (the wine crisis and of the food products etc), fact that affected the business environment.
In 2007 we should not expect a better situation. The life standards will worsen, the effects of the economic crisis will become obvious, and the budgetary plans in the real sector of the economy will be compromised. The social sector will also suffer, in light of the fact that the inflation goes up. Moldova will experience demographic and labour force crises. The migration of the population will continue. Moldova will be transformed into a “social” state and “the economic state” will die before coming to light. Thus, we can not hope for foreign or local investments. At the same time, the law-based state will not function, and the corruption will affect more the government and the society.
The collaboration of PCRM, PPCD and PD was reconfirmed in 2006
Nicolae Andronic, the chairman of the Popular Republican Party says that the tight collaboration of the Communist Party (Vladimir Voronin), People’s Christian Democrat Party (Iurie Rosca) and the Democrat Party (Dumitru Diacov) was fully reconfirmed. They voted together the Budget; adopted important decisions such as the Audiovisual Code etc. When President Voronin speaks about PPCD and PDM as “constructive opposition” he cheats. In fact, it is the government coalition PCRM-PPCD-PDM which runs Moldova. It will “celebrate” the second anniversary on April 4 2007.
For PPR, as an opposition party, 2006 was first of all important because Mihail Formuzal, the chairman of the Republican Council of PPR won the elections in Gagauzia. On other hand, PPR together with the Centrist Union of Moldova and the Social Democrat Party managed to create The “November 1 2006” Committee – joint political body with consultative statute the aim of each is to oppose the usurpation of power by President Vladimir Voronin.
According to PPR, the main political event of 2007 will be the local elections. The Party is seriously preparing for the event. Teams have been created in a series of raions. There goal is to win the elections in the chosen raions. The elections that took place in Gagauzia on December 3 proved that PCRM can be defeated.
2006 proved communists’ incapacity to govern
For Vitalia Pavlicenco, the leader of the National Liberal Party, 2006 confirmed communists’ incapacity to govern and administrate, and this will end with the failure of the present government. The break-up of the so-called democrat political forces continued with the support of the communists as the majority coalition continued to vote, with few exceptions, the laws promoted by the communist government in order to fulfil narrow interests. The good laws on the other hand, examined only due to the engagements made in front of the Western partners, are not implemented. Speaker Marian Lupu is concerned with the internal battles for the inheritance of the presidential and party throne. The partnership of April 4, 2005, that perpetuated the communist regime, failed.
Pavlicenco believes that in 2007 the political battle that already started, if speaking about “Antena C” and “Euro TV”, will become tenser. The local elections are coming and the public and politic life will enliven, many things will be disclosed and the process will be a rehearsal for 2009. The collapse of the communism in Gagauzia is a positive sign. On the whole, we have an interesting situation in Moldova. There are Russian anti-Voronin forces, as well as strong Romanian anti-Voronin forces. But there will never be cooperation between them because they have different standpoints on the development of the country. According to Pavlicenco, the Tarlev Government will be changed, PCRM will seek to use the Transnistrian ace and to eliminate the centre-right liberal forces, and the fight against political opponents will intensify. However, the proximity of EU will diminish the influence of the communists and if the federalisation of Moldova will be voiced, PPCD will use the “mea culpa” argument as regards the partnership of April 4, 2005, the cited source said.
The project “Moldova – Sovereign State” failed
15 years after the proclamation of independence and 5 years of communists’ government, one can say that the political project entitled “Sovereign and Independent Moldova”, which was created on August 27, 1991 and was confirmed through the Constitution adopted on July 29, 1994, is coming to an end, Valentin Krilov, executive secretary of the Socialists’ Party of Moldova “Patria-Rodina” stated.
According to him, the internal strategy promoted by Chisinau in what concerns the Transnistrian conflict led to a deadlock. In change for the Moldovan patriotism, which must have been the ground for the settlement of serious state problems, the society pleads more and more for a cynical pragmatism. This fact is proved by the active part of the population and is based on destructive values, coming from abroad. The internal situation can be changed only by changing the present political configuration. In this context, we witnessed a positive event in 2006. The communist party lost the elections in Gagauzia, moment that will mark the beginning of the failure of the regime headed by PCRM and PPCD.
At the local elections in 2007, including the elections for the Popular Assembly of Gagauzia, both the politicians and the voters from Moldova have real chances to change the political situation by changing the political construction at local level, Krilov added. // 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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