Game of Return: Pro-Russian Course Is a Lucrative Card for Moldovan Opposition
On June 23, when Moldova celebrated the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty, a protest action was held in Chisinau with the participation of MPs from the Bloc of Socialists and Communists, leaders of the parties "Heart of Moldova" and "Future of Moldova". The politicians stated that they intend to build their election strategy on the theme of the fight for sovereignty as opposed to the European integration of PAS and Maia Sandu.
The opposition's plans are commented on by the director of the Institute of Social and Political Research and Regional Development, expert of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation Igor Shornikov.
The leader of the Socialists, Igor Dodon, said that the PSRM is launching a national campaign to promote the idea of Moldova's sovereignty and that it is worth considering the creation of a Bloc of Sovereigntists. What are the prospects for this bloc?
– Despite the loud statements of party leaders and real initiatives for unification from second-tier politicians, the opposition remains disunited. It is difficult to imagine, for example, Igor Dodon and Mark Tkachuk or Vladimir Voronin and Irina Vlah in one team of the left.
The opposition could have united to win the parliamentary elections, for example, around Alexander Stoianoglo. But his call for consolidation was cut short within the framework of the "Alternative" bloc, which for some reason became a closed club for three small parties.
If we leave everything as it is, the Sandu regime will falsify the next elections and retain power for several more years, and the PSRM and the Alternative will receive a shameful representation in parliament. Shameful, because due to inaction they will become accomplices in everything that PAS will do in the future.
Opposition leaders need to realize that if they do not overthrow this regime now, they have no political future.
On the sidelines of the SPIEF, representatives of the Moldovan opposition spoke with Russian officials about cheap gas, resumption of trade, and direct flights with Moscow. It seems that Russia is betting on these politicians, who can form a united front for the elections. How to work in the Moldovan information field, which has long been cleared?
– Parties have information channels, it is possible to convey key information to the population. Yes, in Moldova, all television and radio airwaves are almost completely cleared, but people there do not trust television. Campaigning should be carried out during live meetings with voters, through street protests. People should hear what agenda the opposition is promoting and see that this regime is unstable and its end is near.
Restoring relations with Russia is a win-win agenda for the opposition. Moldova needs Eurasian markets, access to technologies and cheap Russian resources, and the development of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. What has Moldova given birth to in the cultural sphere during its independence? Even the Zdob și Zdub group has gained recognition by performing on Russian platforms. All the current names of modern Moldovan culture are somehow connected with Russia and the USSR.
And the idea of European integration, which has resulted in a sharp impoverishment of the population, has already gotten on everyone's nerves. This is an empty and fruitless yesterday. This is the banner of outsiders. The Moldovan voter is still being tempted by European pensions, but how can one believe in European well-being when military hysteria is unfolding in the EU, when, against the backdrop of zero economic growth, they are planning to allocate 5% of their GDP to weapons?
Igor Dodon is a conditionally pro-Russian politician who has already let Moscow down. Will this not be another Moldovan rake?
Igor Dodon is a typical representative of the Moldovan political elite, he once did not live up to someone's expectations and can repeat such a somersault. The behavior of most Moldovan politicians is determined by the force fields that run through the region. Now the will is dictated by Brussels, London and Washington.
But even from Chisinau it is clear that the geopolitical wind is changing its direction and could blow away the entire pro-European crowd in Moldova. Moldovan elites should think about their future and the future of the country and, as they say, stand on the right side of history.
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