Why Dodon Threatens Sandu with Early Elections

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Dorin Mocanu The President no longer tolerates the reproaches of ACUM leaders and has attacked them with criticism and threats In recent weeks, members of Moldova’s ruling coalition have been exchanging reproaches. The socialists and the ACUM bloc have plenty of reasons to argue: slow socio-economic progress, and confusing relations with foreign investors, and a clean-up of the judiciary with sabotage of the Prosecutor’s office. The growing number of problems has already led to the fact that the forced allies are increasingly sorting things out in public. The reason for another verbal sparring was the UN speech of the Moldovan President. Igor Dodon made his speech in the most conciliatory tone, without the usual accusations of Russian aggression, and this predictably did not please the pro-European coalition partners. Moreover, the head of state was criticized by leaders and even ordinary members of ACUM. Igor Dodon usually quite calmly reacts to the pokes of allies, but this time decided to show some muscle. The President in response pointed to the meager results of the Sandu government in the first 100 days, and spoke unflatteringly about Andrei Nastase. But the main thing is that Dodon expressed the readiness of the PSRM to take under its care two or three ministries from the social bloc, which heads, in his opinion, did not cope with their tasks. Toughening the rhetoric, the President said for the first time that the ‘honeymoon’ for the coalition had come to an end. He also threatened the allies with early elections if Sandu’s Ministers did not get down to business. It is obvious that such a negative assessment of the work of colleagues is partly due to personal resentment at ACUM’s criticism of the President’s foreign policy views, which splashed out in the media. But above all, the attack by the alliance’s allies is probably due to the impending local elections. They have undermined the integrity of the ruling coalition before and now, when the positions of the pro-European bloc have shaken, and there is discord in its ranks, the socialists are ready to take advantage of the situation and change the power balance. It can be expected that with the resounding victory of the socialists in the local elections Igor Dodon will raise the fundamental question of expanding the PSRM in the government due to the high confidence of citizens. Thus, the PSRM will continue its offensive against ACUM and strengthen its position in the governmental system. It is obvious that it is very important for Maia Sandu to maintain the current composition of the government, which provides political control and pro-European orientation of the executive authorities. The potential resignation of several loyal Ministers will confirm the failure of ACUM managers. It will also serve as recognition that to govern the country is impossible without professionals from the PSRM. It is not difficult to guess what even more socialists in Ministerial posts may bring. Already now the pro-presidential Deputy Prime Minister on reintegration Vasile Sova shows fair independence in his field of work and creates the mass of problems to the Prime Minister through falling out from the general policy of the government. More socialist ministers are likely to lead to even greater divide and the ACUM bloc’s complete loss of control over the government. However, today the position of the socialists is also not so strong. Adjustments in the behavior and more aggressive rhetoric of the PSRM leadership serve to ensure superiority (both moral and electoral) over pro-European parties in the run-up to local elections and to consolidate an uncontested position on the left flank. Meanwhile, some experts and political analysts say that Dodon’s partners in Russia are quite clearly willing to offer the Moldovan electorate several alternative political projects to the Party of Socialists. There are attempts already to ‘revive’ ambiguous Renato Usatii, as well as to launch a new party headed by ex-communists Marc Tcaciuc and Iurie Muntean. A tangle of contradictions in the current coalition in Moldova was expected from the very beginning. Every day it becomes more difficult for casual allies to respect the lines, and the agreement signed in September does not help much. The upcoming local elections may be a test and the new government is unequal to it. It will be good if the results of the vote allow the ACUM and the PSRM to keep what they have. Otherwise, attempts to take a dominant position and move over the competitor will finally finish fragile ruling alliance.