The preliminary report “Moldova 2014: State of the Nation Report”, presented by the Independent Analytical Center “Expert-Grup” on October 2, says the internal political situation was relatively clam during the year and this was mainly due to the exclusion of the main political players from governance. However, the direct non-participation in governance diminished their influence on the political events taking place in the country. As a result, the reform process slowed down.
“Expert-Grup” program director Alexandru Fala said that apparently, at internal level, there was consensus between the coalition parties that were guided mainly by the imperative of political survival. On the other hand, the internal political situation was dominated by the foreign agenda that distracted attention from the vital reforms initiated in the European integration process. “The ruling forces failed the governance quality test following the non-transparent leasing out of the Chisinau airport and the improper privatization of Banca de Economii,” he stated.
In general, the internal agenda was marked by a series of trends such as the activation of separatist manifestations, restoration of the discussions on the country’s federalization, diminution of the pro-European sympathies in public polls, and emergence of pro-Customs Union preferences. Among the major failures of the pro-European government were the insignificant results achieved in fighting corruption, especially in the justice sector, the slowdown in the justice sector reform, and the politicization of the state institutions.
As to foreign policy, Alexandru Fala said that considerable progress was made in the relations with the Western partners. The relationship between the EU and Moldova saw the highest development level so far. The crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s actions led to the intensification of the EU’s presence in the region. This allowed hastening the liberalization of the visa regime and signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. The transatlantic relations also developed significantly, the United Sates supporting Moldova’s European course.
The expert also said that tough the European integration process intensified in 2013-2014, the sustainability of this course will be tested by the geopolitical vote that will be given by the people in the parliamentary elections. The acceleration of this process will first of all depend on the success of the reforms and the EU’s actions, the development of the situation in Ukraine and the behavior adopted by Russia.
The report was compiled by the Independent Analytical Center “Expert-Grup” in partnership with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and in cooperation with the Journalistic Investigations Center.
