Moldova’s political leadership is more focused on suppressing dissent than tackling public concerns.
Post-Soviet nations are locked in a battle for the soul of their countries. Political debate in the region has descended once again into a tug-of-war between European and Russian worldviews. Nowhere is this more true than in my home country of Moldova.
The continuing war in Ukraine and the wider growth of Russian interference has made this debate unavoidable. But the leaders of these countries are rapidly losing the trust of their electorate—eroding their own credibility through looking outwards while they curtail freedoms and ignore core demands at home.
In recent months, Georgia has witnessed thousands of protesters rising up against the government’s ‘Russian law‘, fearing it will suppress media freedom. In Armenia, the government has faced a backlash for detaining anti-government protesters, even as it signals a pivot away from Russia towards European integration. The situation is similarly dire in Moldova, where the president, Maia Sandu, has taken the unprecedented decision to merge the coming presidential election with a referendum on EU membership, diverting attention from pressing domestic issues.
‘National security’
Each of these leaders justifies imprisoning, banning or suppressing opponents on grounds of ‘national security’, yet they risk sowing the instability they claim to be contesting. As a former judge at the European Court of Human Rights, I know there can never be a justification for violating human rights. These measures will only result in greater apathy towards public institutions, when economic stability and a free civil society should be prioritised.
Make no mistake: Russian disinformation poses a huge threat to Moldovan democracy and should be treated very seriously. And if the appetite for European integration exists, the people should be allowed to vote on the matter. But everyday citizens care about pressing local concerns, especially outside the capital, Chisinau.
Indeed recent polling in Moldova shows where public priorities lie. The economy (43 per cent) and corruption (28 per cent) are by far the most important problems facing Moldovans today, with external factors such as ‘war’ or ‘insecurity’ polling far lower (3 and 5 per cent respectively).
Through my work fighting corruption, I have seen firsthand how this cancer has stifled growth and resulted in huge inefficiencies in government. The Moldovan people deserve better and it is high time politicians in my country tackled the issue head-on—they must prioritise what is going on within Moldova’s borders, before concerning themselves with our place in the world.
Open to abuse
It is ironic that while pursuing European integration on the worthy premises of security and freedom, Sandu’s government has consistently weakened both within Moldova. At the end of May, Amnesty International condemned the government’s new, broadened definition of ‘high treason’.
The definition is seemingly deliberately vague and open to abuse, with Amnesty’s executive director in the country warning that it was likely to be used to target political dissent and critical voices, under the guise of countering malevolent foreign influence. There is a striking similarity to the ‘Russian law’ in Georgia, both resulting in a concentration of state power and suppression of open debate.
These fresh attempts at fighting foreign influence follow growing international condemnation of Sandu’s increasing crackdown on political and media freedom. The blocking of a dozen television stations and the unconstitutional banning of the Chance party have drawn criticism from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Deterioration of trust
The consistent attacks on a free and fair society have contributed to a catastrophic deterioration of trust, with 59 per cent of citizens believing that Moldova is heading in the wrong direction. The Ministry of Justice ranks as the country’s least trusted institution. These numbers are a sad reflection of the detachment felt by many Moldovans from the future of their country. Whether pro-Europe or not, they no longer have faith in their government.
To ensure Moldova’s future as a modern, liberal country, its leaders must elevate the needs of their people over geopolitical battles. Addressing concerns on the ground around the economy and corruption is essential if public trust is to be restored. Human rights must be upheld without compromise and the justice system must be strengthened to protect civil liberties.
Only through achieving such transparency can Moldova truly embody the ideals it pursues through European integration. Only then can we build the stable and prosperous society to which all Moldovans aspire.
Stanislav Pavlovschi is a former Moldovan judge on the European Court of Human Rights (2001-08), former vice-president of the Dignity and Truth Platform political party (2016-19) and founder of an anti-corruption NGO, the International Center for the Protection of Human Rights and Democracy.