Final Preparations for Early Elections in Moldova Are Underway

Sergiu CEBAN Apparently, the Moldovan political regime does not plan giving easily up its dominant position and is ready to harshly and unceremoniously act being pressed by its natural political instincts. The sad spectacle that one could observe in parliament yesterday, gave many reasons for reflection and reminded once again that Moldovan politics is an unpleasant and hopeless phenomenon in the life of ordinary citizens. The main and absolutely expected result is presenting to the people a new parliamentary majority formed by the Socialist Party and the "SHOR / For Moldova" parliamentary group. This very majority voted hastily and brutally for a number of laws and initiatives, whilst a situation of complete chaos in the conference room. Among the main decisions one can cite: budget for 2021 adoption; laws on the status of the Russian language and Gagauzia adoption; transfer of the Information and Security Service under the control of deputies and foreign (Russian) TV channels broadcasting resuming. From the outside it seemed that the PSRM and Igor Dodon were determined to show their character so strongly that the Association Agreement with the EU would not be long either. A number of experts have already expressed the opinion that parliament’s work within production line mode, took place with obvious regulations and other parliamentary procedures violations. The opposition will certainly take advantage of this to question the legality of laws adopted, as well as accuse the socialists of trying to usurp power. The Constitutional Court should, apparently put the final point in this dispute, so representatives of Maia Sandu's party are expected to apply very soon to. Far the most painful reactions in Moldovan society provoked the rush for passing laws, by the new parliamentary allies, on issues that have been arising the most questions over the last 30 years. The sound logic suggests that one could stretched out the work on the entire list of documents, without feeding unnecessary reasons for criticism. However, presumably, there were serious motives that forced the opportunistic parliamentary majority to accelerate that much. It is not excluded that the agreement between the political partners was quite shaky, and the vote of laws became possible only on condition of a wide package vote. So, in particular, in exchange for PSRM bills’ support, the "SHOR / For Moldova" group expanded its positions in the permanent bureau of the parliament, and approved as well several populist initiatives with an obvious electoral bias. The two political formations’ successfully tested cooperation will apparently, receive its development within the framework of the lustration project registered in the parliament, which implies a change in the leadership in state institutions under the pretext of completing the process of political system’s deoligarchization. Most likely, the real purpose of such a reorganization is a total purge of government bodies from Democratic Party’s nominees. Some experts associate such a legislative marathon with the need for the adopted norms to be signed namely by Igor Dodon. The incumbent president, having completed his four-year program in just a few weeks, will be able to proceed on a positive note to further party and election work in the office of the Socialist Party. Meanwhile, many drew attention to the fact that after a short participation in the plenary session, the speaker of the parliament Zinaida Greceanii continued missing from the session hall without any explanations, whilst her deputy Vlad Batrincea did all the "dirty work". It is possible that doing so, the leader of the socialists demonstrated her sharp rejection of what her party members were involved in. If this hypothesis is confirmed, then the process of electing Igor Dodon to the post of party leader becomes not so inevitable. Separately, it is worth noting the decision of the parliamentary majority to abolish the law on Chisinau stadium’s territory sale to the Americans that was aimed at constructing a new US Embassy complex. Such a step looks as an attempt to provoke and challenge Washington, which has already spoken out quite harshly about. Particularly noteworthy in this story is the Prime Minister, Ion Chicu’s comment, who criticized the deputies for such actions. According to the deep conviction of various experts this will have the most negative impact on Moldovan-American relations. Against this background, it should not be ruled out that the head of Cabinet may refuse further complicity in what is happening and will resign. In addition, one of the most experienced advisers, Chicu has already publicly characterized the parliamentary vote as inconsistent with the principles of the rule of law. The current situation is a very serious political challenge for Maia Sandu, since the outcome of this fight will clearly show whether she will be able to further strengthen her position or will be gradually squeezed out to the periphery of political processes. Realizing the inevitability of falling into a trap, the President-elect went to disrupt the budgetary process in parliament in order to prevent the creation of legitimate grounds for extending the mandate of the current government. An immense moral law, a small group of loyal deputies and sympathetic Western diplomats– these are the few means in Maia Sandu’s arsenal that would make it possible to reverse the situation that is currently not in her favor. In response to the functional weakening of the institution of the president, Sandu's advisers did not find other recommendations except to call citizens for one more protest. It seems that the internal political situation in the country has crossed the borderline and begins to actively warming up and diverging at the seams. Moldovan politicians are throwing off their masks and are actively thinking about what opposing camp to join in order to secure their future prospects. It seems that the current government does not plan giving easily up its dominant position and is ready to harshly and unceremoniously act being pressed by its natural political instincts.