Moldovan Governing Alliance At Odds as Referendum Nears
August 30, 2010
By: Randi Zung

Since rebounding from a period of violent political upheaval, the government of Moldova has been plagued with infighting and political instability.  In April 2009, the country experienced a civilian-led uprising after preliminary results indicated that the country’s ruling Communist Party had taken the lead in a parliamentary election.  Although the government was praised for returning peace to the country following the unrest, competing interests between political parties within the current government continue to fuel a political standstill that could impact the country’s delicate political alliance. 

On September 5, Moldovans will vote in a constitutional referendum that will ultimately decide whether or not the president will be directly elected by the people.  The International Foundation for Electoral Systems reported that the referendum, which is expected to pass, will likely be followed by general elections – including a presidential election, the subject of which has spurred furious debate in the country’s political arena.  Moldova, which last ratified its constitution in July 1994, is currently a parliamentary republic – meaning that the president is elected by parliamentary officials, and not directly by the people.  The dates for the upcoming general election have not yet been determined.

The current governing coalition, known as the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), was formed in August 2009 after four political parties banded together to oust the Communist Party from parliament.  Although the ruling coalition originally pledged to promote economic development and European integration, the pro-Western AEI government – which is composed of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM), the Liberal Party (PL), the Democratic Party (PDM), and the Our Moldova Alliance (AMN) – is now at odds over candidates for the country’s forthcoming presidential election.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the infighting between the four coalition parties escalated when Prime Minister Vlad Filat of PLDM announced that he might run for president.  Filat stated Moldova needed a president that was “born out of political competition… not one made in a laboratory.”  Filat also encouraged the other coalition party leaders – Acting President Mihai Ghimpu (PL), Marian Lupu (PDM), and Serafim Urechean (AMN) – to run as candidates.  Filat’s intention to run for president is being viewed by AEI members as a violation of an earlier alliance agreement to put forth a joint candidate. 

When asked to comment on the state of the coalition, Ghimpu stated that AEI should continue to work towards its promised reforms.  Earlier in the month, The Georgian Daily reported that Lupu called Filat’s candidacy a “betrayal.”  In addition, it was also reported that members of the Communist Party have been boycotting parliament since June 16.

For previous news on Moldova, please see: http://ccd21.org/news/europe/moldova_one_year_later.html

Sources:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Acting Moldovan President Calls For Unity

Georgian Daily - Upcoming Referendum Seeks to Overco Moldova’s Constitutional Crisis

International Foundation for Electoral Systems – Moldovan Referendum

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - Moldova Coalition Shows Strain Ahead Of Referendum




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