Dolls from Plahotniuc's box. Presidential elections start in Moldova

The election campaign for the country's presidential elections, which is scheduled for November 1, has officially begun in Moldova. The CEC registered eight candidates.

This is the leader of Our Party Renato Usatii, the leader of the Dignity and Truth Platform (DA) party Andrei Năstase, the candidate from the Liberal Democratic Party Tudor Deliu, the current president Igor Dodon, the candidate from the Sor party deputy Violetta Ivanova, the leader of the party “Action and Solidarity” (PAS) Maia Sandu, candidate from the National Unity Party Octavian Ticu and candidate from the Unirea political movement, ex-mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca.

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The PolitNavigator correspondent talks about the candidates and features of the current presidential elections with a historian, political scientist from Chisinau, member of the Executive Committee of the Civil Congress party, Zurab Todua.

PolitNavigator: The list of candidates for the post of President of Moldova has been determined. What can we say in general about the applicants? Do the residents of the country have anyone to choose from?

Zurab Todua: When we talk about these elections, we must always remember that they are illegal. They are held according to the rules that, at the direction of the oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc, the pocket-sized Constitutional Court at that time determined on March 4, 2016, grossly violating the Constitution of the country and exceeding its powers.

The owner of the “puppet theater” fled the country under pressure from external forces last year, but the puppets from the circus box still continue to perform a mediocre play.

What did the 2016 presidential elections give the country? A president without powers, who was also humiliatingly suspended from office “for five minutes” six times.

Instead of concrete deeds, there are only promises and the preservation of all the shadow schemes and combinations that were created during the reign of the Democratic Party. Whoever is elected on November 15 (based on the results of the second round - editor's note), he will be the same powerless rag doll who decides nothing.

The best solution in such a situation is not to take part in this illegal act. Don't choose anyone. Don't get dirty on it. Do not allow yourself to be pushed into the corral of an artificial choice, when many people say: “I don’t like this candidate, but what can I do...” Anyone who has the courage to ignore these elections will, by their actions, bring closer the time of overcoming the crisis, the time of the triumph of the law, the formation of normal authorities, returning the Republic of Moldova to the legal field.

On October 5, at a meeting of its Executive Committee, the Civic Congress party adopted a statement on this matter. In order to lead the country out of the socio-political crisis in which it has been for more than ten years, it is necessary, firstly, to hold early parliamentary elections. This parliament was elected in conditions when state authorities were captured by the Democratic Party, and it should be dissolved.

Second: the new composition of the parliament must bring the procedure for electing the head of state in accordance with the Constitution. And at the same time, consider the question of whether Moldova needs the post of president at all. And only after that – thirdly – ​​return to the issue of presidential elections.

Until this is done, all candidates will remain puppets from Plahotniuc’s box, no matter how much they claim otherwise.

PolitNavigator: Almost all experts and observers admit that the favorites of the race are known. Maia Sandu is building a campaign on criticism of Igor Dodon. In your opinion, is this the right strategy?

Zurab Todua: It is hardly possible to talk about any correct strategy in fake elections. M. Sandu positions herself as a champion of the law and a politician who is determined to fight corruption. And at the same time, she diligently does not notice the fact that these elections are being held according to the rules of V. Plahotniuc. If M. Sandu and other right-wing parties refused to participate in these elections, then a situation would arise in which these elections might not take place at all. It would be difficult to count on recognition of legitimacy if right-wing parties – PAS and the DA Platform, and left-wing parties – the Civic Congress and the Communist Party – did not take part in them.

PolitNavigator: Before the start of the election campaign, there was a lot of talk about how Maia Sandu could attract Russian-speaking voters, including young people, to her side. Why didn't this happen?

Zurab Todua: In my opinion, it is obvious that political strategists did a good job with M. Sandu. She avoids extreme judgment and sensitive topics. She became a little more diplomatic than before. This may have an impact on a certain number of people. But in general, M. Sandu is the type of candidate who is not easy to work with. They tried to “promote” her for a very long time. A lot was invested in it - meetings with influential European politicians, support, promises, etc. Any politician has his own limit to the possibility of development.

PolitNavigator: Igor Dodon, like four years ago, uses Russia in his election campaign. The other day, the Kremlin promised the current president that it would provide humanitarian aid to Moldova. The topic of the Russian loan of 200 million euros is mentioned again. Is Russia betting on Dodon because there is no one else to support?

Zurab Todua: It is impossible not to notice that in Moscow there is a certain disappointment in Igor Dodon. They could not help but pay attention to the abandonment of the goals announced in June last year, to the alliance of the Socialist Party with the Democrats, to the ignoring of Dmitry Kozak’s recommendations. Moldovan politicians often believe that they can endlessly create a situation where “the tail wags the dog”...

The fact that in the global confrontation there is no time to clarify the details now plays into I. Dodon’s hands. Everything fades into the background. Moldova is located on the line of competition between the great powers, and this circumstance dictates a pragmatic and at the same time flawed approach: “They say, then we’ll figure it out and smooth out the rough edges.”

In this regard, the US approaches can serve as an example. There have been unrest in their country for several months. The presidential election is approaching, during which Democrats and Republicans could tear everything to smithereens. However, in the regions where the United States is present, they continue to follow their line. In Moldova, like an asphalt roller, they are rolling out their program for development and deepening influence - they clearly and straightforwardly indicate who and how to act.

PolitNavigator: Maia Sandu and Andrei Năstase are the leaders of the ACUM bloc and are aimed at pro-European voters. How do their programs differ? Will it turn out that they will take votes away from each other?

Zurab Todua: M. Sandu and A. Năstase work in the same field. Few people are interested in the differences in their programs. A number of European politicians (D. Tusk and others) clearly spoke out in support of M. Sandu. Too often A. Nastase compromised and gave in. About five years ago, I said on one of the TV channels that if he gives in all the time, he will ruin his political career. It is possible that this moment is approaching.

PolitNavigator: We see two unionists on the list of candidates: Dorin Chirtoaca and Octavian Ticu. How interested are Moldovans in the idea of ​​“uniri” with Romania?

Zurab Todua: Primitive unionism has long since exhausted itself. O. Tsyku’s motives are clear - he wants to try his hand. It’s hard to say why there is a need to disgrace D. Chirtoaca, who has already failed everything possible. The few supporters of the idea of ​​destroying Moldovan statehood will most likely vote for Maia Sandu both in the first round (mostly) and in the second round (mostly).

The problem is that due to the actions of the political class, including participation in illegal presidential elections, there is a further decline in the authority of the government and, at the same time, an erosion of statehood. The number of people who believe that the Republic of Moldova is a failed state is growing. This is where the main danger lies.

PolitNavigator: 139 polling stations will be opened for voting abroad in these elections, most of all in Italy, Russia, Romania and the USA. Diaspora voting is hotly debated, with the opposition accusing the authorities of trying to rig the elections due to the Central Election Commission's decision to open more polling stations in Russia. Can foreign voting really have a significant impact on the outcome of elections?

Zurab Todua: In the second round, the gap between the main candidates will be approximately 3-5 percent, perhaps even less. In these conditions, every percentage matters. This is why the results of voting abroad are important.

The right, as usual, believes that only what benefits them is “democratic” and fair. This approach is common for the right (and liberals) not only in Moldova, but also in Russia, the USA and some other countries. They probably believe that it would be correct, as before, to leave only five plots for the whole of Russia, where about 500 thousand Moldovan citizens work.

PolitNavigator: The European Union is actively making statements on the Moldovan elections. The EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova expressed dissatisfaction with the situation with polling stations in Russia and called for this to be sorted out. MEPs were outraged by the restrictions imposed in Moldova on the financing of presidential candidates by parties. Just before the start of the campaign, 19 European countries in a joint statement called on politicians and government institutions in Moldova to hold fair elections, “free from the egregious practices of the past.” What is behind these appeals?

Zurab Todua: Statements by EU representatives and others reflect distrust of Moldovan politicians. We've already been burned more than once. In 2010 – 2013, if anyone still remembers, Moldova was called a “success story.” Now it looks like a sophisticated mockery, after corruption scandals, after the theft of a billion, after the failure of all plans for “development”, “reforms”, “transformations”. With their calls, European partners are trying to reduce the possible administrative influence on the outcome of the vote.

I believe it would be much more useful and appropriate if they contributed to the return of the country from the current swampy and sticky “fragrant” swamp to the legal field. Namely, they would call for these elections to be canceled and early parliamentary elections to be held.

PolitNavigator: How might the search for Vlad Plahotniuc affect the course of the election campaign?

Zurab Todua: Mr. Plahotniuc is taking an active part in these elections. His creatures do not leave television channels. Its candidates show off on polished, eerie “creative” advertising panels on the streets of cities and villages. Rumors that he is wandering somewhere near Moldova appear in the media from time to time. It cannot be otherwise when, instead of de-oligarchization, which was solemnly announced in June last year, the ruling group colluded with his team. Probably, V. Plahotniuc dreams of revenge and under certain conditions he can achieve it.

PolitNavigator: How likely is the Belarusian scenario in Moldova? Dodon’s opponents have already stated that they will not recognize the election results if he wins them. We observed “rehearsals” for mass performances in the center of Chisinau in the spring and summer. There is an opinion that the rocking of the situation in Moldova, along with the events in Belarus and the war in Transcaucasia, is part of the West’s plan to destabilize the situation in the states on the perimeter of Russia.

Zurab Todua: The former Soviet republics are indeed today a front on which East and West confront each other. This requires special intelligence, patience, cunning and, at the same time, wisdom from Moldovan politicians. So that the country does not turn into a battlefield on which great powers will sort out their relations.

It must be admitted that over the past ten years, politicians have done everything possible to put Moldova in a vulnerable position. The economy is weak, society is fragmented and disunited, there is no respect for its history. The political class is mired in corruption. Adrian Candu, Sergei Sirbu, Violetta Ivanova and Co. claim to become icons of political style.

Journalists and political scientists, instead of not shaking hands with these subjects (who is not aware of the circumstances of their transition from party to party?), invite the same Kanda (this example of extraordinary flexibility) to their broadcasts for the 155th time. It’s clear that journalists really want to eat. They, poor things, are starving. Still, there must be common sense. At least in order not to be an accomplice to lawlessness.

The political class and the media that serve them, with an army of starving journalists and experts, are degrading and are responsible for the situation in which the country finds itself. Such a weakened position is an ideal condition for external partners to allow themselves any scenario that is beneficial to them.

PolitNavigator: Why are neither candidates nor external partners embarrassed that the procedure for direct presidential elections adopted in 2016 contradicts the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova? How legitimate will the elected president be?

Zurab Todua: This is the quality of the current political elite of Moldova. Just to put a crown on your head. And the fact that it is fake, cardboard, does not matter. This is evidence of the provincialism of Moldovan politics. Complete disregard for reputation, for the concept of “loss of face.” When in one of the interviews I. Dodon was reproached for voting for N. Timofti, he replied: “So what? But I became president."

So far the prevailing approach is: all means are good to achieve success. The hope is that the winners are not judged. Practice shows that they judge, and quite successfully.

In the struggle for power, the question of legitimacy cannot be avoided. She will always be present.

V. Plahotniuc was forced to flee precisely because he did not have legitimacy - legal status. He tried to resolve all issues privately and was sure that everything and everyone could be bought. In Romania, for ten years now, those who led the 1989 revolution and put N. Ceausescu on trial have been persecuted.

Why is this becoming relevant now? Yes, because citizens, in search of answers to the question of where so many problems come from and why there is no promised manna from heaven, turn to the past and try to understand: was everything done correctly then?

The day after the second round of elections, nothing will change in the country. The president will still remain without powers and without legitimacy. And the same will be the attitude towards him in the world. There is no need to deceive yourself. In the elections, which are held according to the rules of the puppeteer, only the puppet can be elected, but not the legitimate head of state.