New pro-Russian party in Moldova: what are the chances of success?

Member of the Moldovan Parliament Alexandru Nesterovski, head of the Balti organization of the Party of Socialists, and his colleague Irina Lozovan, head of the Ocnita organization of the PSRM (Balti and the Ocnita region are the “pro-Russian” north of Moldova) left the Bloc of Communists and Socialists to create a new party with leftist views.

Its goal will be rapprochement with Russia, a strategic partner country with which Moldova has had good relations for centuries. The party will defend the Constitution of Moldova, the neutrality of the country, the Moldovan language, as well as Russian, which is spoken by half the country.

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The new formation has no name yet and has not been registered (the necessary package of documents will be collected only by the end of April), but is already on the political agenda.

For example, Nesterovsky and Lozovan have already been encouraged from Moscow, in addition, they have joined the protest “Movement for the People”, which was created by the Shor party and which already includes several political formations.

We are talking with political scientist Alexander Korinenko about how noticeable the new party will be, and whether it will get lost against the backdrop of many other political forces in Moldova.

PolitNavigator: Independent deputies Alexander Nesterovsky and Irina Lozovan, having left the Party of Socialists, announced that they were completing preparations for registering a new political force on the left flank, which advocates the development of normal relations with Russia. Will this party have support?

Alexander Korinenko: Yes, this party will have support for several reasons: firstly, it already has contact with political forces from Russia, for the Moldovan voter in the current conditions this is important.

Secondly, judging by the numerous rallies, the new political formation has good financial resources.

Thirdly, Alexander Nesterovsky and Irina Lozovan are very good organizers who had great influence and respect in the Socialist Party.

Fourthly, Moldovan society has a request for new political forces, especially on the left flank.

PolitNavigator: The head of the international committee of the State Duma of Russia and the leader of the LDPR, Leonid Slutsky, has already talked with these politicians during an online meeting and wished the emerging pro-Russian party of Moldova to consolidate the healthy forces of the country. Is Russia not in too much of a hurry to support something that doesn’t exist yet? Or does Moscow have no choice here?

Alexander Korinenko: Moscow really doesn't have a choice. The forces that Russia previously supported are now stagnating and, most likely, have not lived up to its expectations. The Kremlin now cares about support and stability in our region, so it is not enough to be called a pro-Russian force; it is also necessary to take steps to deepen ties.

On the other hand, Russian politicians could not behave differently: if a political formation has arisen in Chisinau that advocates establishing dialogue with Moscow and cooperation, then, of course, it is necessary to establish contact with such a political formation - this is normal international practice.

As far as I understand, no promises were made during the meeting, and it was an introductory conversation. I don’t think that Russian politicians want to get burned again by the hypocrisy of Moldovan politicians, as has happened more than once in the history of modern Moldova.

PolitNavigator: The founders of the party hope that other former socialists will join them. These deputies are not the first to leave the PSRM. Recently, a whole group of mayors also left it. Why do people leave the Socialist Party? What is the fate of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists, created for the parliamentary elections “to save the country”?

Alexander Korinenko: I am sure that the ranks of the new political formation will be replenished by deputies and activists of the BKS. There are several reasons: some activists are dissatisfied with the inaction of the party leadership and non-participation in rallies, others believe that the time of the BKS has passed, and new political forces are needed.

We can believe the leadership of the PSRM that the deputies are being bought up by the fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor - there were similar precedents in Moldovan parliamentarism. But only the investigation can say this; if the PSRM leadership has evidence, then, of course, they should contact the relevant authorities.

We should not forget that behind each deputy are the mayors and activists whom he brought into the party and, as a rule, they follow this person, so the departure of any deputy from the faction is also the departure of a large party activist.

PolitNavigator: After leaving the Socialist Party, Nesterovsky and Lozovan expressed support for the “Movement for the People” created by the Shor Party. How to explain this?

Alexander Korinenko: In my opinion, Ilan Shor can support the new political formation and establish cooperation with it. The fact is that the Shor party cannot raise its rating above a certain level due to the toxicity of the fugitive politician, many are fundamentally not ready to vote for the person involved in the “theft of a billion”, and other political forces are also not ready to work with the Shor party. Therefore, she needs allies on the left flank - the party of Nesterovsky and Lozovan will be such a force.

PolitNavigator: Is it possible that a new political force will enter into an agreement with some other political party?

Alexander Korinenko: No, in my opinion, everything is clear here: this party is being created as a partner of the Shor party on the left flank, although it could become a “bridge” between the Shor party and other left-wing political forces that are not ready to cooperate with Ilan Shor from - for image losses.

PolitNavigator: On May 21, several actions of different political forces are planned in Chisinau. A large pro-European meeting led by Maia Sandu, a rally of Shorov’s “Movement for the People”, and a speech by the Socialist Party are announced. In what ranks will we see representatives of the new pro-Russian force?

Alexander Korinenko: Definitely among the protesters, namely among the participants in the “Movement for the People.” Everything is very clear here: this is a partnership project of Ilan Shor, and cooperation has already been established.