There’s Time for Everything. Why Don’t the Socialists Respond to ACUM’s Attacks?

The socialist party stayed on the defensive, reacting very modestly to the incessant attacks of its pro-European ‘allies’. Sergey Cheban, RTA: The pro-European bloc is apparently completely tired of joint living in the framework of one coalition. The closer the local elections get, the stronger and dirtier the attacks of ACUM members on their socialist partners become. Of course, conflicts in the ruling alliance of Sandu, Nastase and Dodon did not begin today. The unification of the two political forces with opposing ideological platforms initially didn’t seem too sustainable. However, both the ACUM and the PSRM agreed to present a united front on key issues for Moldova and came up with some kind of rules of the game. And some time even respected them. Now, however, there is no trace left of the former reserved politeness between the socialists and the pro-European bloc. Born after a painful confinement, a new coalition agreement still did not help. There, the PSRM made certain concessions to the pro-Europeans, but this did not save it and President Igor Dodon from constant criticism from Sandu, Nastase and other ACUM members. Most of all it hits the head of state, especially after his peace-loving speech at the UN. Pro-Europeans literally steamrolled over it, accusing Dodon of almost treason and capitulation to the Kremlin. But this is far from an isolated case when ACUM harshly attacked their nominal partners. For example, Maia Sandu in recent years has repeatedly expressed the demonstrative disagreement with the President’s plans for Transdniestria. Also, she actually laughed at the proposals of Dodon to replace the no success Ministers in its government by the PSRM members. Moreover, the Prime Minister tried to put the Moldovan leader in his place, referring to the limitations of his powers. Andrei Nastase distinguished himself even more, who has long questioned the prospects of the current alliance. Before the election of the mayor, the leader of the DA platform ceased to constrain himself with the framework of coalition decency. So, Nastase has accused Igor Dodon of aiding the regime in canceling the 2018 mayor elections in Chisinau, and later even offered the President to resign – allegedly for being “an accomplice of the evil committed by the government of Plahotniuc”. The socialists have so far reacted with restraint to the increasing attacks of coalition allies: for example, calling for compliance with the accepted rules of the game, or recalling existing agreements. The prudence of the socialists is surprising, because the party certainly cannot be blamed for the lack of experience in political struggle and populist rhetoric. Nevertheless, the PSRM continues to be largely silent in verbal sparring with the ACUM. Why? Igor Dodon’s party and he personally have several reasons not to react to ACUM’s attacks. The first of them is connected with the upcoming local elections. The clever peace-loving tactics of the PSRM lead to the fact that pro-European MPs look like the main troublemakers against the PSRM’s silence. The electorate sees and hears only attacks of ACUM though they expected just national reconciliation and social cohesion from the present coalition. As a result, pro-Europeans are provoking disgust and antipathy among voters and push them to vote for the socialists. Examples are easy to find: socialist Ion Ceban, according to the polls, is leading in the race for the seat of mayor of Chisinau. The second factor is long-term, and is related to the international image of the current government. In Moldova, the government is traditionally the first candidate for repression and the main target of popular anger, as the Cabinet is responsible for the economy, social sphere and, in general, the welfare of the population. The government is now in the hands of the ACUM bloc, and has not shown outstanding results in this field in the first months. The situation is unpleasant: everyone expected that after Plahotniuc’s departure, life would change fundamentally, especially since the current government itself made the fugitive oligarch the main culprit of all Moldova’s troubles during many years. There is no Plahotniuc, but there is no happy life either. Soon the Sandu government will face popular discontent, Igor Dodon is well aware of this and is in no hurry to rush things. Besides, ACUM members have tanked themselves, criticizing socialists and generally everyone. Pro-Europeans can be understood: before they were considered the main hope of the European Union in Moldova, ardent reformers without a corruption spot on their reputation. Everything should have become better with their coming to power. And while it is not getting better, the right-wingers are trying to portray heavy activity, and therefore look even more ridiculous. The socialists again do not interfere, so that all the present chaos is not associated with them. After all, the third factor is Dodon’s presidential ambitions. The PSRM leader is systematically preparing for the election race and allows the ACUM bloc to completely discredit itself to the population. The President contemplates that there’s time for everything: when the ‘H-hour’ comes, Dodon will criticize his pro-European opponents for every word, every attack and provocation of today. It’s naive to think they’re going under the radar – it’s just that Dodon doesn’t prevent Sandu and Nastase from making mistakes, so he doesn’t return them right now. As can be noted, silence is becoming a tactic of the PSRM in competition with the ACUM. Local elections will show whether this tactic is really successful.