Moldova Passed the Point of No Return?

Whatever the results of the parliamentary elections, they are unlikely to change Moldova’s political course: the West will not let our country go off the set path

Semen ALBU, RTA: Judging by recent events on the continent, the Western model of development is clearly experiencing a crisis of attraction power. This is not surprising: if the European Union used to be a beacon of democracy, human rights and high welfare that “enlightened” new members and brought them up to its level, a kind of Pax Europa, now... it is hardly so. Dysfunctional and overly ideologized European bureaucracy, which rather advocates the course of globalists than the interests of member states, multiple crises, dense involvement in military confrontation with Russia and economic confrontation with China. Brussels still has a lot to offer to those who want to join the European family, but these carrots do not look as “tasty” or as “fresh” as they used to. Besides, time is passing, and new centers of power are blossoming in the world. The same South-East Asia, where, with the exception of China, there are no problems with demography, there are prospects, huge amounts of money, and therefore sources of investment, technology, and no imposition of one’s own way of life in favor of pragmatism and practicality. Maybe that is why the regimes imposed by globalists are politically bankrupt, and the rise of right-wing nationalists, who propose to focus on internal development without geopolitical blinders, is taking place everywhere. Such leaders are coming to power even in EU countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which are trying to take a broader view of the world. And in general, the right-wing wave is also sweeping over the “nuclear countries” of the Union, such as Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France, etc. The reason for this trend is that societies are now more demanding, they are harder to fool through traditional controlled media, and the online space is still in the process of “occupation”. And citizens are demanding change. This was demonstrated by the elections in neighboring Romania, where the ruling coalition parties lost many voters and the winner of the first round of the presidential race was an independent candidate with radical ideas based on the unconditional priority of domestic problems and strengthening of sovereignty. Similar processes are taking place in Moldova. The referendum on European integration failed and was barely promoted by falsifications at foreign polling stations. Maia Sandu also lost domestically and was re-elected only thanks to the diaspora. The results of the latest opinion polls need no comment: about 40% of citizens do not believe that Moldova will join the EU, about the same number do not want to see PAS in the next parliament, and only 14% want to see the “yellow majority” there again. Frightening figures for the authorities when elections are less than a year away. Indeed, our people will soon have a unique chance to bring down a regime that is already leading the country to disaster without any reservations - look at the mess in the energy sector! - and “cancel” its ruinous course. Or will they not? I once wrote that the era after February 2022 can be called the time of “new sincerity”. No Western actors even try to observe at least formal etiquette and pretend to communicate with sovereign partners who are their equals, not vassals and puppets. In fact, back in 2021, we had the pleasure of seeing how the active American ambassador Derek Hogan literally had all the doors to any instances, including the CEC, to ensure a convincing victory for PAS. It’s even simpler now - you either surrender sovereignty completely, or suffer enormous overloads by your dear “allies”. Take even Romania, a member of the EU and NATO by the way: even there, the people’s choice in favor of the non-party candidate Georgescu triggered a flood of overt threats. For example, such as. And then there is the example of Georgia, which is now being “shaken” using almost identical methodologies as Ukraine in 2013-2014. The same protesting “children” who engage in fierce battles with the security forces, the same string of concerned statements from Western officials and rulers, the same threats of all sorts of punishments and penalties, some of which have already been carried out. In fact, the Georgian example shows how a country can really radically change its course, having realized the danger to national interests, and what will happen to it for this. Let us remember how Tbilisi was force to impose anti-Russian sanctions that were destructive to its economy, to open a “second front” against the Russian Federation, etc., scaring it with the suspension of European integration, deprivation of visa-free travel and grants. Now the West has openly failed to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections, is interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs, is supporting the opposition and a loyal president who has already refused to resign this month, and is imposing sanctions itself and through its satellites. So far, the Georgian leadership seems to have the situation under control. It has sufficient legitimacy, keeps the state apparatus, including the security forces, in strong hands, and, moreover, even gives bold responses to the insolent actions of the West, for example, by declaring that European integration will not be on the agenda of the authorities for the next four years. That is, in fact, freezing the movement to the EU. This is in addition to the previously adopted signaling laws on foreign agents and the ban on LGBT propaganda. Will Moldova be able to defend its sovereignty following the example of its former colleague in the Association Trio? I doubt it very much. Georgia looks like an exception in this respect, while in our country the West has a firm grip on the reins of governing the country and is not going to let them go. Experience has shown how even the people’s choice - not to prescribe in the Constitution the path to the EU, not to re-elect Maia Sandu - can be easily overcome through various manipulations and tricks, and such a rigged vote will be instantly recognized by the “democratic community” as legitimate. Even if we imagine a hypothetical defeat of the PAS in parliamentary elections, who can guarantee that the diaspora will not provide the “yellows” with an additional 10-15 mandates, making their faction sufficient to form a power coalition? We can see examples of how in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, which have already been mentioned, various alliances are formed to prevent the sovereigntists from gaining real power. Something similar will happen in our country, whatever the outcome of the voting. Unlike Georgia, our sovereigntists, if there are any left at all, will definitely not be able to withstand the “overburden” created by the West.