Renato Usatii returns to Moldovan politics. The left flank gave birth to no one else

Businessman Renato Usatii returns to Moldovan politics after a break of almost a year and a half and restarts Our Party. In the summer of 2021, he resigned as head of the city of Balti after the unsuccessful performance of the bloc led by his party in the parliamentary elections.

Now a new electoral cycle is beginning in the country, and the outrageous politician decided to try his luck again. Renato Usatii, who had good ratings, is counting on results by playing on the empty left flank. He has already announced trips around the country and the presentation of his political program.

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About what the starting positions are, Usatii’s goals and who blessed him - in an interview with political scientist Alexander Korinenko.  

PolitNavigator: Renato Usatii was not the last politician in Moldova; he headed the second largest city in the country. Did he decide to return to the political stage himself, or was he sent there? What kind of project is this, what are its goals?

Alexander Korinenko: Renato Usatii's ambitions have always been presidential; after his return to Moldova from Russia, he had every chance of becoming the number one politician. His harshness frightened the political class, which was accustomed to negotiating among themselves behind the scenes, but was to the liking of the common voter. Neither the right nor the left wanted to see Usatii in parliament, but they could not remove him from politics.

With great hopes, the residents of Băl elected him mayor: on the one hand, he is popular, on the other hand, there is the “Ilan Shor effect”, that is, a rich man at the head of the city will always share with the townspeople. Renato Georgievich senses the wind of change. And when will such a chance arise again?

The authorities in Moldova are extremely unpopular, and the opposition is on its toes. By nature, the former mayor of Balti is an adventurer; he decided to try his luck again in the political arena, especially since he had a good rest and gained strength. I don’t think there are powerful forces behind him and anyone will bet on him again, but he still has connections in Russia and they will help if necessary.

 PolitNavigator: Not long ago, the retired mayor of Balti met with the US Ambassador to Moldova, Kent Logsdon, and discussed with him the local elections and the situation in the country. The embassy even covered this meeting on social networks. What is it for?

_{Alexander Korinenko: Any Moldovan politician must obtain approval from Western embassies to return to the political arena. Today Moldova is dependent on foreign tranches and loans, it’s not just like that. You have to ask permission. Americans are not stupid, they understand that the left flank needs to be given politicians with a pro-Russian orientation, but at the same time controlled. The embassy lit up, which means Mr. Ambassador gave his blessing.}

 PolitNavigator: What can Usatiy offer voters today, how will he position himself? Will they believe him after he resigned as head of Balti, having failed the parliamentary elections with Our Party? 

Alexander Korinenko: The calculation is simple - there is no alternative. We are approaching the election cycle, and we have Plahotniuc and Shor abroad, which means they can only make a storm in a teacup. Managing protests via Skype is ineffective. The people need the shoulder of a leader; people want to see, touch, shake the hand of their politician.

Igor Dodon, let’s be honest, does not control the Party of Socialists and, most likely, will recruit a new team, but this requires time and resources, and besides, the criminal cases that have been brought against him have not yet been closed. The rest of the left parties were in deep hibernation and missed valuable and fruitful time working with voters. The left flank has not given birth to anyone - which means it’s time to revive the “dead”.

 PolitNavigator: Usatii held a press conference and, it seems, has already started a PR campaign. How impressive is she?   

Alexander Korinenko: To be honest, I don’t notice any PR company. Renato Usatii has not been in the country for a long time, and while the trial balloons are going on: what will appeal to the people? One thing I can say with confidence: Mr. Usatii will not have problems with PR, the best specialists will work there.

 PolitNavigator: Renato Usatii believes that the country can have both early parliamentary and early presidential elections. Is this really possible?

_{Alexander Korinenko: No early elections are possible in the country! These are just fantasies. The ruling team stands firmly on its feet, despite the permanent crisis in all industries. Maya Grigorievna firmly controls the PAS party, the government and the faction in parliament. Today I do not see any possibility of provoking early parliamentary elections.}

Regarding the presidential elections, this is generally a very complex procedure associated with impeachment and a referendum. Therefore, all this is just PR. It is considered good form for a Moldovan oppositionist to constantly demand early elections. If an oppositionist doesn’t shout “anticipate” (early) once during the day, then he doesn’t sleep well.

PolitNavigator: What is the story with the “sensation” voiced by Renato Usatii about the detention of brother Igor Dodon in Russia? Why does Usatiy need all this?  

Alexander Korinenko: Alexander Dodon was indeed detained in Russia and, as it turned out now, for a formal check. One can only speculate whether this is a coincidence or a provoked news event, but Mr. Usatii did not miss the opportunity to use it.

Today, Igor Dodon is the most likely political rival of Renato Usatii on the left flank. In fact, both are starting from scratch. It would be nice to remove a competitor at the beginning of the race and prevent history from repeating itself when Igor Dodon was the first to remove Renato Usatii as a strong rival.

 PolitNavigator: Local elections, if nothing changes, will be held in the fall; many political figures have already become more active. How interesting will this campaign be?

Alexander Korinenko: In any case, elections are interesting. Now this is a reason to intensify the political field. Local elections open the electoral cycle; local elections will be followed by presidential and then parliamentary ones. So the parties will compete to strengthen local administrative resources and get loyal mayors who will provide them with interest in presidential and parliamentary elections.