Vlah Didn’t Rule Out the Ban of Other Parties: Sor Is Just the First Harbinger

Irina Vlah considers the attempt to outlaw the Sor party as the first warning sign. “When the whole opposition in Moldova is removed from the legal field, the first initiatives and precedents are created”, Vlah stated during the program Puterea a patra at N4 TV channel, enews.md reports. When asked by the program host if other parties besides the Sor party could be affected, Vlah said, “I think so. They are now just trying to pave the way; they want to figure out how public opinion will be formed. It is beneficial for the authorities to make such statements using the Sor party, because the society is split in its attitudes towards this party – some welcome and support, some condemn it. And while there is no consensus, the authorities probably think that people may agree that a certain party will be declared illegal.” “This will be a small step, to be followed by the next step when some other party will be affected. People will complain a bit, but finally agree because they have many other problems today – how to pay for electricity, gas, and the food prices have soared. And the ruling party is using such ‘fireworks’ to distract people’s attention from the pressing problems”, the Gagauz leader said.