Protests in Moldova

[Crumpets]

I thought this might be an interesting topic to discuss, despite the fact it's not really getting a lot of coverage. A bit of background: In 2014, about $1.5 billion went missing from three banks in Moldova, which is about 1/8th of the entire GDP of the country. Since then, there have been a series of protests on-and-off trying to get snap elections. Last October, the old government was dissolved, and the President has been looking for a new Prime Minister to form a government. Originally, he wanted to pick Vladimir Plahotniuc, a pro-European oligarch, but declined at the last minute. Last Friday, (if I have my timing right) he instead picked Pavel Filip, another pro-European and one with close ties to Plahotniuc. Needless to say, the protesters from pretty much all factions aren't too pleased, even those pushing for closer relations with the EU, and protests have escalated in recent days. After the appointment, a group of protesters broke into Parliament to demand the new government be dissolved and snap elections held. That's pretty much where we are now.

Here are some articles with a bit more information:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35366194
http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-protests-timofti-filip-usatii-plahotniuc/27492349.html

[Crumpets]

Also, there are three main groups which comprise the protestors which have largely contradictory aims. From this article, which also has a fairly good timeline of events:

https://medium.com/@dumitruciorici/explanation-what-happens-in-moldova-9ca3d94d36ca#.z86eoyd0e

1) Pro-European anti-corruption protesters under the banner "Civic Platform: Dignity and Truth" (DA). The DA is not represented in Parliament, due in part to the fact that many political parties in Moldova need an oligarch's blessing to operate, and this is exactly the kind of practice they are trying to end. However, should there be snap elections, they will run candidates under the Dignity and Truth Platform Party label. Opponents have argued this group is either secretly in cahoots with several oligarchs or an assortment of right-wing Romanian nationalists.

2) Pro-Russian socialists loyal to Igor Dodon (PSRM), a former Economic Minister, Deputy PM, and ex-Communist until 2011. The PSRM is currently the largest party in Parliament, despite being in the opposition.

3) Pro-Russian socialists loyal to Renato Usatîi (PN), a railway mogul and major shareholder in UniversalBank. Usatîi was arrested last October for corruption, but was eventually released. PN is not currently represented in Parliament, but has been polling well recently, and could be set to become the largest party should there be snap elections.

[Crumpets]

3,000 person protest today with all three main opposition groups at Moldova 1 (national TV station) alleging bias in favor of ruling government.

http://news.yahoo.com/moldova-3-000-protest-call-early-elections-122244308.html

[DavidB.]

Interesting, TCC! One of these countries that is rather close geographically yet incredibly far away politically...

[Crumpets]

Don't know what group this guy's with, but he's saying the pro-Russian and pro-European groups are holding a joint rally today. It looks about on par with some of the recent protests, although he's saying it's anticipated to become one of the largest ones since fall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl9f3KVvLLE

RT also has some good pictures from today, of course cutting away lest an EU flag make it into the frame. It's interesting that some people have brought religious icons to the rally (usually Madonna and Child). I wonder what the reason/origins of that are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCQb2IHa2gk

[Crumpets]

ABC is reporting 40,000 turned out today. Not as big as the 100,000 person protest, but not bad for a city of 490,000 in 0°F (-18°C) weather.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-25/moldova-protestors-rally-against-government/7110894

[Famous Mortimer]

Looks like the left and right teaming up to protest a Moderate Hero government.

The current government is made up of the Democratic Party of Moldova, a pro-Euro breakaway from the Communists, and the Liberal Party, an anti-austerity pro-Euro party.

[Crumpets]

Looks like the left and right teaming up to protest a Moderate Hero government.

The current government is made up of the Democratic Party of Moldova, a pro-Euro breakaway from the Communists, and the Liberal Party, an anti-austerity pro-Euro party.

Although in this case "moderate hero" is sort of code for "will do anything in its power to maintain the status quo." It's also interesting how in Moldova, the left tends to be associated with Russia and the right with Europe. It lends itself to the whole "eurofascist" stereotype that's peddled in a bunch of Eastern Europe against those who are pro-EU.

[Crumpets]

Apparently the new PM will be going to Bucharest on Tuesday.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=235&sid=38255946&title=15000-protest-in-moldova-to-demand-an-early-election&s_cid=queue-13

[Crumpets]

New PM Filip says he won't resign because "We could find ourselves in a deep economic and social crisis. It's possible that Moldova wouldn't be able to pay salaries and pensions for four months." Not sure I follow his logic, there.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35403563

[Crumpets]

So this is an interesting development:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_ROMANIA_MOLDOVA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Crumpets]

Protesters have somehow managed to "pass" an ultimatum for the government:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://tass.ru/en/world/852698