Huddle of grey houses, roads full of potholes, donkey carts, roll about it – at first glance, Cobusca Veche, an ordinary village in the East of the Republic of Moldova. 2350 inhabitants are registered in the locality. The small Republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine, is the poorest country in Europe. Unstable policy and economic development for years. In Cobusca Veche is easy to recognize.
And yet, something is different in the village. Mayor Laurențiu Perju, a dynamic 40-Year-old, wants to bring the site forward. In his three years in office, he has renovated the post-station, the little clinic and the school equipped new, a football field with artificial turf laid and street lighting installed. The Budget for this, he organised from Romania, Sweden, Poland and Germany. Perjus objective: to Cobusca Veche is to be attractive, in order for those to return, who went as migrant workers abroad.
mayor Laurențiu Perju: “I want to keep the people here.”Photo: Oliver Bilger
In the whole of the Republic are the counts according to the International organization for Migration, nearly one Million people, in a country with only 3.5 million inhabitants. The number of emigrants has been increasing for years, because the hope for a better future drops in the home. Germany is one of the most common destinations of the labour migrants.
Cobusca Veche are just under 30 per cent working abroad. Five percent have returned to the place forever. Every family, even in the face of the decision, or to Remain, question, what have you to offer the village, said Perju. “I want to keep the people here.” For this year the mayor has made to repair the bad roads. “What we have achieved up to now, we have reached as a result of our cooperation with Europe,” said Perju. After the parliamentary elections on 24. February, he hopes, therefore, on a Pro-European government.
Torn between East and West
elections in Moldova are always a decision about the direction of the country – East or West. In the Ex-Soviet Republic, many seeking a rapprochement with the EU and almost as many who want closer ties to Russia. In recent years, elections had become quickly emotionally charged ordeal. Moscow sees the country as in the case of neighboring Ukraine, in its zone of influence. Brussels wants to limit stability at the EU’s external. A role in the breakaway Region of TRANS-plays Istria, although not internationally recognized, but state-like Entity, with close ties to Russia. In 1992, several hundred people died in a brief civil war. Long ago the guns are silent, but the diplomatic conflict has remained unresolved for almost three decades.
President Igor Dodon warns that Moldova should not be forced “to have between the East and the West”. This lead to a split up to the breaking up of the country. The last years were marked by crises, failed elections and mass protests. This time, all bearing the promise of close relations with both Russia and the European Union. The socialist Dodon’t want to cancel the 2014 Association agreement for closer economic and political relations with the EU, but in Parts of post-act. In addition, the new Parliament should ratify a cooperation agreement with the Russia-dominated Eurasian economic Union.
“Moldova is a Mafia-state”
a coalition of the nominally Pro-European Democrats (PDM) ruled in the capital, Chişinău, in a coalition that will not last the choice. An extra-parliamentary, and to the West, aligned with the opposition concluded with the name of Acum (Now) is just ahead of the Democrats. Both have in the polls, but no majority. The Russia-friendly socialists see the front. However, the socialists are in need of a coalition partner and is not in sight. It should give a clear result, will Dodon declare new elections. In Moldova, a long months are likely to get without the government.
The direction of the dispute, moves this year, something in the Background, to the fate of the election, the vote still is. The biggest topic of debate is the widespread corruption. Especially, a huge banking scandal overshadowed still any political discussion in the country where the average wage is just under 200 euros per month. The end of 2014, nearly a billion dollars disappeared from three banks to Offshore accounts.
The state replaced the sum equal to 15 percent of the gross domestic product of the Republic, which is why the taxpayers feel deprived. What with the, particularly for Moldova – a huge amount happened, is not explained. Just as unclear is who is involved in the scandal. The shock waves of the Milliardenraubs are more clearly felt.
journalist Natalia Morar: “Moldova is a Mafia-state.”Photo: Oliver Bilger
“Moldova is a Mafia state,” said Natalia Morar, a journalist and moderator of political debates on the TV channel TV8. That after the election something changes fundamentally, doubts, you. Many Offices, such as in the case of public Prosecutor’s office or the Central Bank, to be occupied in the next few years, already, she explains: “All the important positions in the country are controlled by Vladimir Plachotnjuk.”
The 53-Year-old is head of the Democratic party, however, extends its Power far beyond the PDM. The Oligarch is regarded as a gray Eminence in the country, in which all the threads run together. The Democrats moved in 2014 with 19 Seats in Parliament, they occupy 42 seats, and are the strongest group. The number does not come about by choice, but by change of parties. Pressure, and money will have played a role.
electoral reform is seen as an attempt of the PDM to hold on to Power. Instead of a ratio of choice this time will be chosen in a mixed System with party lists and a new Single-member constituencies. The voting districts had been tailored in favour of the PDM, is the criticism here. A Referendum on the day of the election will also test the possibility to reduce the size of the Parliament later: from 101 to 61 seats. In order to reduce the government spending, say the Democrats. To have less people greasing, warn observers.
Stronger emigration
intrigue, Mudslinging, and Propaganda on all sides feared in Moldova for the election campaign. Law enforcement and judgments of the steered justice to the political Repertoire. Citizens are increasingly disillusioned and frustrated. You have the conditions satisfied, in which a power elite is in need of the country for their own gain.
journalist Morar does not want to exclude Surprises in the election results. Last summer, an opposition candidate, won the election to the mayoralty of Chisinau as a surprise. The Supreme court declared the result invalid, illegal Agitation on the election day was the official reason. In fact, once more Plachotnjuk to have its influence. Internationally, there was a Protest. In the capital, citizens took to the streets – what, however, remained without consequences. “The Elite has ignored demonstrations in the past,” says Morar. This will destroy the readiness for protests.
While renewed demonstrations after the election, cannot be ruled out as more likely to be an even stronger migration to the EU or to Russia, where wages and standard of living are higher.
opposition candidate, Maia Sandu: “It’s not going to be easy.”Photo: Oliver Bilger
In the next election it will be “enough people to vote for democracy,” he said Maia Sandu. The former Minister of education and presidential candidate in the 2016 founded party “action and solidarity” in the Pro-European Acum Alliance. “We have managed a strong state,” criticized the 46-Year-old, the situation in the past years. A criminal Elite have taken the country hostage. “But as bad as it is now was never.”
For Sandu therefore, the fight against corruption high on the Agenda, the Reform of the judicial system, the banking system. Not an easy task in the Republic of Moldova. “I’m not naive,” says Sandu. “I know the System – it will not be easy.”
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Russia and Transnistria, the next crisis Looming?
Oliver Bilger
The Research was supported by the International journalists and media dialogue program of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation.
