Hit Exchange: A Political Crisis Is Flaring Up in Moldova

Vladimir ROTAR After a series of mutual threats, the authorities and the opposition switched to a direct hit exchange and there was even place for compromising materials, new parliamentary dashes and high-profile criminal cases Mondays, saturated with political events have recently become a tradition in Moldova. So was the beginning of this week when marked by a sharp surge in tension between the ruling coalition and the opposition, primarily the Candu-Shor group. The new Monday is to be remembered by the next Moldovan deputies’ migration from the Democratic Party faction: Vasile Batca and Ghenadie Verdes like many of their colleagues moved to the Pro Moldova group. Thus, the coalition of socialists and democrats narrowed to a dangerous mark of only 52 deputies and only two mandates now separate the parliamentary majority from losing their current status. All mayors and advisers elected in the Nisporeni district also left the Democratic Party the same day. This is a symbolic (and for some, probably a signal) moment: after all, Nisporeni is the “second Vlad Plahotniuc’s homeland and patrimony”, a territory kindly treated at that time by means of oligarch’s “charitable” activities and the place he successfully ran for parliament last year. Along with political maneuvers, the “dirty” segment of the anti-government campaign familiar to Moldavian realities also started. DA member Iurie Renitsa released a video of Igor Dodon’s communication with Vlad Plahotniuc back on June 4, 2019. It shows how the puppeteer’s man at some point passes the head of state a bag (which, however, the president did not pick up). The recording was made in the same surroundings as the clips of similar meetings merged in June last year. The opposition, of course, did not miss the occasion to maximize the destructive for the head of state new “drain’s” potential: Renato Usatii, playing along with the Candu-Shor group, began to disperse the “plastic bag as corruption symbol” media topic while the DA platform announced its intention to initiate the president’s resignation process. Responding to the recording, Igor Dodon called it a re-enactment and continued his previous “defense line”, saying that the meetings with the oligarch were a political ploy aimed at delaying time before giving the coup to the “master of Moldova”. The ruling coalition, however, was by no means a boy to whip and rolled out "its Response to Chamberlain." That was attack continuation on one of the most delicious and at the same time vulnerable Ilan Shore’s assets - to Chisinau Airport. In fact, the government started the insolvency declaring procedure of its concessionaire Avia Invest, which could become the basis for breaking the deal and returning the airport to the state. Prior to this, the head of state spoke about the enterprise’s 50 million lei accumulated debts to Moldova. Avia Invest management has already accused the government of intentionally company bankruptcy and intends to sue in international arbitration for the huge 885 million euros compensation. It is worth noting that the authorities act assertively and aggressively and perhaps, for the first time, Moldova has real chances to return the country's main air harbor - however, it’s worthwhile preparing well for future numerous legal battles. The main blow direction to Candu-Shor group (and its direct curator) can be considered the further promotion of the billion theft. Finally, for the first time, Vlad Plahotniuc was officially named the main “scam of the century” ’s beneficiary, that he carried out with helped by Ilan Shor’s structures. Of course, this is far from a sensation but still an important step - since earlier no official document in the context of bank allegations named Plahotniuc accessory to theft. Additionally, Attorney General Alexander Stoianoglo announced at the yesterday press conference that several criminal cases had been initiated against Plahotniuc on charges of creating an organized criminal group and money laundering, and especially on vast fraud. According to Stoianoglo, immediately after the documents are translated into English, they will be sent to the United States along with the extradition request. At the same time, authorities are rushing the trial against Ilan Shor. Postponing the yesterday meeting scheduled for the Orhei businessman’s defense (formally - to better familiarize the new team of lawyers with the documents in the case) was only possible for three days and not for a month as would usually such a situation require. There is no doubt that the previous endless transfers practice is not anymore available and now things will go much faster. In addition, as Stoianoglo said a new charge that a separate group of prosecutors is dealing with will also be brought up against Shor. According to the yesterday's events results it can be stated that the warring parties have significantly increased the battle intensity. At the same time, it must be admitted that by now the opposition’s chances seem somewhat advantageous for several reasons. First, they managed to reduce parliamentary majority (that is now literally having a near squeak) to the maximum and to prepare the way for a vote of no confidence in the Chicu government, which is expected this week. Secondly, the impeachment procedure for the president, which is likely to follow in the near future, although it has a ghostly chance of success will inevitably hit the Moldovan leader’s rating ahead of the election. The main problem for the authorities is that the current crisis architects, primarily Vlad Plahotniuc, unlike their opponents, are far and away from the Moldovan authorities’ radars. Yes, criminal cases against the oligarch will make it difficult for him to return to Moldova (and he most likely has such plans). But Plahotniuc’s extradition is not worth the wait. As you know, recently the Eastern European direction of US foreign policy has almost completely fallen into the American democrats’ hands. And among them there are enough lobbyists and partners who have long been fed by our puppeteer and thanks to whom he is still on American territory (even despite the State Secretary Mike Pompeo’s statements). Needless to mention the US government’s informer status, he has been according to some sources, long possessing. This means one thing: the former Moldova’s owner will be able to unpunished continue arranging attacks on the ruling alliance until the Americans decide the time has come for him to get extradited to his homeland. But it is unlikely that the present Social Democratic coalition will see such a gift coming true.