Profanation of European integration. The Moldovan regime is covering up its political collapse
Moldova has set a date for a referendum on European integration and presidential elections, which are expected to take place on October 20. The ruling party has already published the text of amendments to the Constitution, which will be put to a referendum, and hastened to begin campaigning among the population. PAS deputies, talking with citizens about the benefits of European integration, complain that people react sluggishly to explanations. And this is not surprising: the pro-presidential team is promoting a positive image of the EU against the backdrop of economic failure, growing poverty and inter-ethnic disunity.
Moldovan political scientist Alexander Korinenko comments on the situation in an interview with PolitNavigator.
PolitNavigator: PAS members are conducting an information campaign in support of the European referendum at their own expense. The date hasn't been officially confirmed yet. How is this legal? How are the plebiscite's initiators encouraging people to vote, and what are they telling people?
Alexander Korinenko: The PAS party is beyond the pale. The ruling party has repeatedly allowed itself to begin campaigning before the Central Election Commission announces it. The first thing that comes to mind is Lilian Karp's election campaign, which essentially began a couple of months before the mayoral race. PAS officials always offer some ridiculous explanation. I'm sure this time, too, they'll somehow explain their campaigning for a referendum that hasn't even been scheduled yet. Perhaps this is just some kind of informational blitz on the joys of European integration.
Fortunately, I haven’t been “promoted” yet, so I don’t know exactly what they are telling the population about, but this fairy tale has not changed for a very long time, they say, let’s join the European Union - and you will be happy: European justice, good roads, high pensions and salaries. At the same time, it is not mentioned that there are strict criteria for joining the EU, and countries that have already dealt with the problems that Moldova dreams of solving as part of the European Union are admitted. People are simply misled by fairy tales about beautiful Europe.
PolitNavigator: According to one of the proposed constitutional amendments, citizens will be asked in a referendum to confirm the European identity of the Moldovan people. Why is this necessary? Does anyone dispute that this identity is European?
Alexander Korinenko: I don't understand this at all; it's just more populism. It's like holding a referendum to confirm that the sky is blue and the grass is green. Let's make a distinction between Europe as a continent and the European Union as an integrated association. No one in their right mind would question that we are Europeans. Our country was born here, it exists here, and we are a European people. It's possible, of course, that the authorities think the European Union is Europe, while we are backward aborigines of Southeastern Europe who crave civilization. Well, then I advise them to study geography.
PolitNavigator: Another amendment, following the referendum, is expected to declare European integration as Moldova's strategic goal. How is this dangerous for the country? Does this mean Moldova will be unable to pivot to the east after these amendments are adopted?
Alexander Korinenko: This amendment will not change anything. Most major political forces in Moldova advocate European integration, and even those associated with a pro-Russian orientation are continuing reforms at the EU's request and are not deviating from the path of European integration.
The President is talking about constitutional amendments to raise the stakes in the referendum, which will be held simultaneously with the presidential elections, because voters may think that in this way the path to the EU will be cemented and nothing will threaten it. But our politicians seriously undermined trust in the Constitution: the Moldovan language was prescribed there, but in schools it was taught as native Romanian, the Constitution indicated the neutral status of Moldova, but this was very often not respected. Therefore, such an amendment will only oblige the release of the next edition of the country’s Basic Law, and nothing more.
PolitNavigator : Over the 30 years of independence, Moldova has held several referendums, but for various reasons, they failed and failed to bring about any changes in the country's life. What will happen if this referendum also fails?
Alexander Korinenko : Nothing will happen: they'll cry and then forget. Given the country's heavy dependence on Western loans, grants, and cash transfers, the European integration process will not be curtailed. European officials confirm this. However, the referendum's failure will deal a severe blow to the image of the ruling party and the president personally. European capitals will seriously consider the professional suitability of Moldova's "pro-European politicians."
PolitNavigator: Six months until the referendum. European integration is only a lip service for now. As Economy Minister Dumitru Alaiba reported, Moldova's GDP growth in 2023 was only 0,7% (though he later clarified it was 2,5%), suggesting this is insufficient and that the country needs accelerated economic development. How will this be achieved?
Alexander Korinenko : The current Moldovan government is keeping the country's economy afloat thanks to European loans. Our external debt has reached enormous proportions and is growing every year. This is the mindset of NGOs, who don't know how to produce anything and don't understand how the economy works, but are happy to throw smoke and mirrors for a grant. All grants and loans are effectively squandered; they don't open factories, don't create jobs, and more and more citizens are leaving the country in search of work—and this is the most important indicator of the economy's complete collapse. I don't know who will be pleased by Mr. Alaiba's figures, but it certainly won't be Moldovan citizens.
PolitNavigator: Could the upcoming plebiscite boost the ratings of other pro-European parties? What can be said about the newly formed bloc of four Moldovan parties, Împreună ("Together"), which has already signed a pact in support of European integration?
Oleksandr Korinenko : Absolutely not. For three and a half years in power, Maia Sandu has done everything possible to ensure that European integration is associated solely with her name, both domestically and internationally. She convenes the European Grand National Assembly, all European leaders come to her for the European Political Community summit, and she is the "guarantor and mother of true European integration."
During this time, not a single politician or serious political force that could challenge the president has grown up on the pro-European flank. They can unite, create blocs, fronts and the like, but while Western partners see Maia Sandu as the iron lady of European integration, the rest have no chance, and such blocs are rather created for the future.
PolitNavigator: To what extent are the ruling team's actions, including the referendum, actually bringing Moldova closer to the EU?
Alexander Korinenko : Absolutely not. The armed conflict in Ukraine has earned Moldova the attention of the entire EU and candidate status. European officials themselves violated their own principles and criteria for granting candidate status, which the Moldovan authorities unscrupulously took advantage of.
English version :: Read in English: A Profanation of European Integration. The Moldovan Regime Covers Up Its Political Collapse