Total Recall. What Socialists of Moldova Said about Plahotniuc, ACUM and Coalition with the Democratic Party

On March 9, the Constitutional Court of Moldova confirmed the results of the parliamentary elections in the Republic: now political negotiations on the establishment of a ruling coalition officially start. Igor Dodon and the Party of Socialists anxiously waited for the approval of mandates: the PSRM called it a fundamental condition for dialogue with other parliamentary factions. In anticipation of an early political outcome in Moldova, the RTA editorial team recalls the quotes of the Moldovan President and the leaders of the Socialist Party over the past year.

About the PSRM’s victory in the elections

 “I am firmly convinced that everyone is aware of the fact that all the so-called pro-European parties, which are in power or in opposition, are politically bankrupt. It is obvious that in the next parliamentary elections the PSRM, the party that stands for the preservation of statehood, will win’ (Igor Dodon, March 7, 2018).

“These days marks 9 years since the so-called pro-Europeans took power – a sad event for Moldova that they brought to extreme poverty. The most outrageous is that pro-Europeans, who led the country for these 9 years, now divided into two camps: some continue to rule the country, while others protest, trying to return to power to continue destroying the country. But they will not succeed! Very soon Moldova will be returned to its true owner – the people! Together we will win the parliamentary elections and together we will save the country, giving it a chance for a decent future!” (Igor Dodon, August 9, 2018).

 About the coalition with ACUM and PDM

“The question is: if Plahotniuc who has not shown up on the debate is a coward, then who is Andrei Nastase, if he does not go to the debate?” (socialist Ion Ceban, May 25, 2018). “We absolutely cannot at this stage even think or predict any coalition with the right, because experience shows that it is impossible” (Igor Dodon, May 28, 2018). “A coalition between socialists and the right is impossible. I’ve been through it all, I’ve seen it all. I saw in 2010, when the Democrats were negotiating with the Communists in order to get more mandates, powers, ministries from Filat. Then they abandoned the left and created their pro-European alliance, I do not remember which one – second, third, etc. Coalition with the right is impossible. Because, first, they will be so held by the West, there is so much dirt on them, and they will try to unite them. I think as soon as the elections are over, if there is no pro-Moldovan majority, they will certainly try to unite them. Here they also have a problem. Because Democrats will never hand over the Prosecutor’s office, SIS, etc. And Maia Sandu, Andrei Nastase, if they get into a coalition with the Democrats, their fate will be the same as that of Filat. In a year and a half or two, no more. In the Moldovan elections there is only one way out – the Pro-Moldovan majority” (Igor Dodon, June 6, 2018).

“I want to tell you that if there is no pro-Moldovan majority with the participation of Socialists, I think that it is highly likely that next year there will be early parliamentary elections. The right will be able to agree among themselves. But Socialists with Democrats or with someone from the right – this will not happen” (Igor Dodon, June 6, 2018).

“I tell you openly and sincerely – only the PSRM remains committed to the ideas of the left forces in Moldova for decades, and only the PSRM truly protects the statehood of Moldova and the future prosperity of the country! Therefore, we count only on the people of the Republic of Moldova. We will create alliances and partnerships only with citizens, not with pseudo-partners who play for the Euro-unionists and oligarchs” (Zinaida Greceanîi, June 11, 2018).

 “There is no one to negotiate with, we will not negotiate with the right. What to talk to them about, about how to make anti-Russian statements? We don’t need this. Early parliamentary elections are very likely” (Igor Dodon, August 21, 2018).  "There will be three big players: there will be Socialists, Democrats and will be right. If the Socialists do not have a majority, it will be almost impossible to come to the negotiating table with someone. There is nothing to talk about with the right, the leaders of these protests, who today called for a protest on the 26th, who shout every day: "Suitcase, train station, Russia", and we know some of them, I will not give names. These are former members of the Democratic Party, former Ministers and so on. They are now the ardent oppositionists, but we know who they were. To come to the negotiating table with them? Talk about what? About how to make the anti-Russian statement and laws further? I will never do that, I will not change my principles. Or to come with them to the negotiating table and to agree on what route there will be a gay parade in Chisinau? Let them better agree on that with the Democrats and Plahotniuc as did the last 10 years. Therefore, there is a principled position – there is nothing to talk about with them. What to talk about with the Democrats? They screwed over everyone. Therefore, if there is no parliamentary majority, or the opportunity to create with some independent deputies, I think this is highly likely that there will be early parliamentary elections" (Igor Dodon, August 22, 2018).

"We will create a coalition only with the people of Moldova. We are confident that the people of Moldova will have the wisdom and choose a worthy Parliament" (Zinaida Greceanîi, November 23, 2019). "I hope that the Socialists will be able to create a parliamentary majority with the support of certain independent deputies elected in single-mandate constituencies. If this does not happen, new elections are possible. I do not see, with whom to create a coalition – neither with the Democrats nor with the right. In my opinion, there will be no other forces in the Parliament. And you can see what these parties stand for. There can be no coalition with them. In this case – only early elections" (Igor Dodon, December 21, 2018).  "We do not imagine a partnership in the future Parliament with any of the parties that have a chance to pass. Neither the Democratic Party nor the other two, which form the electoral bloc ACUM. I think these parties will quarrel in Parliament, then there will be two separate factions" (Igor Dodon, December 28, 2018). "The Party of Socialists did not cooperate and does not cooperate with the parliamentary majority. We consider this parliamentary majority illegitimate, as it was created by bribery and manipulation" (Zinaida Greceanîi, January 7, 2019). The antipathy between the three main political forces "PSRM, PDM and Acum bloc", which can pass to the Parliament, is quite great, but I, as the President of the country, not participating in the election campaign, will have to accept any coalition" (Igor Dodon, February 6, 2019). "We did not join any coalition, and behold, there was a pretty clear statement of the Chairperson of the Party of Socialists Zinaida Greceanîi, and I fully agree, that the Socialists do not consider options for coalitions, and will do everything possible to gain a parliamentary majority. And there really are such chances" (Igor Dodon, February 7, 2019).

 About the Democratic Party and Plahotniuc

"The government of Moldova, controlled by the Democratic Party, made another anti-Russian demarche, initiating yesterday’s vote in the UN. The ruling coalition is using international platforms in an attempt to strengthen its seriously shaken domestic political positions before the parliamentary elections, which will be held in a couple of months. Such a PR campaign of the Democratic Party will have no practical significance" (Igor Dodon, June 22, 2018). "Populism is when someone remembers the needs of people just before the elections. And violation of the Constitution is to usurp power and turn the Constitutional Court into a branch of the party. Cooperation between state institutions involves dialogue, not forcing the head of state to appoint non-professional people to high positions. If they want it so bad, may appoint by 5-minute masquerade as did it earlier. I’m against blackmail and ultimatums from the parliamentary majority, which uses the institutions of power as an instrument of pressure. I do not change the decision and will not give in to pressure" (Igor Dodon, September 20, 2018).

 "The responsibility for the theft of the billion is borne by all political forces that were in power at that time – the Democratic, Liberal Democratic and Liberal Parties, as well as satellites created by them. Today, representatives of these forces are presented both in the government (PDM, the European People’s Party of Moldova) and in the so-called ‘pro-European’ pseudo-opposition (ACUM bloc, one of whose leaders Maia Sandu was a member of the government of Leanca and voted for lending to troubled banks). Ilan Shor, a direct participant in the theft of a billion, is trying to implement his election project. It’s worth noting the political responsibility of the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova, which, knowing about the theft of a billion, joined a coalition with the PDM and the PLDM, voting for the appointment of the Chairman of the Parliament from the PDM Andrian Candu, and then for the approval of the government of Chiril Gaburici" (PSRM, November 27, 2018).  "Over the years, we have seen much of what we thought should no longer be the case in the 21st century: endless political crisis, scandals, staff turmoil, mess in public administration, general political bias. The main problems are corruption, lawlessness, dominance of interests of oligarchic groups over state interests" (Igor Dodon, January 21, 2019).

"...Tens of thousands of citizens will take part in the event. The protest will be against 9 years of anti-people, anti-state and anti-social power. As part of the campaign, we will present the political program of the party and tell you what we will do until February 24, 2019" (socialist Ion Ceban, October 16, 2018).

 "We must admit that we – and ordinary Moldovans, and many politicians – have not always been able to give a fitting rebuff to those who came to power on the wave of outrages on April 7, 2009. We found ourselves in captivity of illusions that politicians who called themselves pro-European, having come to power, will practically follow high European standards. It wasn’t like that at all. From the day one representatives of the so-called Alliance for European Integration began to violate the Constitution, laws and engage in political takeover. They completely discredited the expression “European principles and values” (Igor Dodon, January 21, 2019).

"After they stole billions and didn’t return a leu to the treasury, after they robbed settlements of our country: closed schools and medical institutions, taking away people’s hope for the future, after they force out people from the country – 106 people leave Moldova every day forever, they want to steal the right to vote from our people! This is a dictatorship, we will not allow taking away the right to vote from our people! CEC is not a circus!"(socialist Ion Ceban, February 11, 2019). "Today we demand that both Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Parliament speaker Andrian Candu be punished for using the administrative resources in their election campaign on a daily basis. They should either be excluded from the election campaign because they are not removed from their posts, or they should be removed from the public posts they currently hold. Both “good roads”, and pensions, and salaries – all this is national money, these are means of the public budget. This is an administrative resource! We demand to bring them to justice!" (socialist Vlad Batrîncea, February 11, 2019). "All these criminals are business partners of the Democratic Party, all these criminals receive instructions from the Democratic Party. All these criminals are aired all day on the channels of the Democratic Party – on Prime, on Canal 2 and 3. All these criminals get every day dirt and all sorts of fakes from the Prosecutor General of the Democratic Party, from the Center for Combating Economic Crimes, from the SIS. All against the PSRM. All these criminals receive administrative resources from the Democratic Party: cars, petrol, coupons, full houses, a database of pensioners. This is only to beat the Party of Socialists" (socialist Bogdan Tirdea, February 11, 2019). "The Democratic Party was seized with blind fear. The polling numbers were in the toilet. They are despised everywhere. First, they registered criminal Shor, then they registered another criminal Chirtoaca, then Calinin, who is hiding in Russia, then Usatii, who are in criminal cases up to his eyeballs, then all of them were set on the PSRM. All these criminals are aired on the TV channels of the Democratic Party, they all get the administrative resource of the Democratic Party: cars, petrol, full houses. Almost all have a ban on entry to Russia" (socialist Bogdan Tirdea, February 11, 2019).