March 04, 2005

Moldovan Elections

Glenn Reynolds points out that elections are taking place in Moldova this week...

At first sight, Sunday's parliamentary elections in Moldova, an impoverished former Soviet republic wedged between Ukraine and Romania, look like fertile ground for a political battle between Russia and the west.

President Vladimir Voronin, the Communist party leader who came to power on a pro-Moscow ticket four years ago, is confronted by centre-right and rightwing opposition parties.

Following the success of popular protests that forced changes of government in Ukraine and Georgia, Moldova might seem ripe for a similar upheaval. But the parallels are misleading. Far from calling on Moscow for support, the veteran Communist president has transformed himself into a pro-west leader, anxious to build ties with the European Union.

This seemingly pro-western posturing by the entrenched Communist leadership seems to be a tactic used only to keep them in power. The opposition has been attempting to follow the path forged by the likes of Ukraine's Yushchenko...even using the same oranged colored ribbons as their symbol, but the Communist leadership is playing the game as well.

Local polling groups say the Communists, who hold 71 of 101 parliamentary seats, are likely to retain control. The opposition claims the elections are likely to be rigged. The main opposition groups have made contingency plans for post-election protests, and the government has prepared legal arguments for having protests banned.

Mr Urechean says the Communists use the police and tax authorities to intimidate opposition activists. Both state television and the one national private channel are blatantly pro-government, he says.

A western diplomat says the opposition's complaints about the Communists' behaviour are generally true, but the opposition is weak and divided.

So, it looks like true, democratic change won't be coming to Moldova...at least not like what we have seen in the Ukraine and Georgia.

This also goes with an article written by Dick Morris that I pointed out a couple of weeks ago, and as regular readers know, I will be going on a mission trip to Moldova in July. Your help is still needed on that front, by the way. Be sure to read about the trip here.

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