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Moldova
At stake: Parliament
Background
Following the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, the territory of Bessarabia—or Eastern Moldova—declared its independence. In 1924, the area became the Moldovan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1940, the territory of Transnistria, which had been an autonomous area within Ukraine, was merged with Bessarabia to form the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. The territory became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Moldova remains split along ethnic lines. Transnistria’s population has a high concentration of Russian and Ukrainian speakers, while two-thirds of all Eastern Moldovans are of Romanian descent. Transnistria attempted to become sovereign in the early 1990s. At least 1,500 people died after a civil war broke out. In 1992, Russian peacekeepers were deployed to secure the area.
The region is a self-described republic under the name Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. It has been de facto independent since 1992 and Moldova exercises no control over the region. However, Transnistria’s independence has not been acknowledged by any state.
In 1994, the Moldovan Parliament allowed the Gagauz region—which houses a Christian Turkic minority—to achieve a form of autonomy with special powers. Two years later, Petru Lucinschi, who had commanded the area’s Communist Party in Soviet times, became president.
In 1998, Moldova’s economy suffered a massive blow when Russia, its largest trade partner, suffered a spectacular economic meltdown. Around 600,000 Moldovans left the country forced by their dreadful financial situation. Moldova’s population is calculated at 4.3 million.
In the February 2001 parliamentary ballot, Moldova became the first former Soviet Republic to democratically elect a communist administration. The Communist Party of Moldova (PCRM) won 49.9 per cent of the vote and 71 seats. The Parliament later picked Vladimir Voronin as president.
Moldova remains one of Europe’s poorest countries, and depends largely on Russia for energy supplies. Around 25 per cent of all Moldovan adults work outside the country.
In December 2004, a new party was created, the Democratic Moldova Bloc (BMD). It includes the founding parties of the Our Moldova (MNA) alliance—the Social-Democratic Alliance of Moldova (ASDM), the Liberal Party (PL), the Independents’ Alliance of Moldova (AIM) and the Democratic Peoples’ Party (PPDM)—as well as other democratic, liberal and environmental groups.
In the 2005 election, the Communists secured 56 seats—five less than the 61 required to elect a president. Parliament re-elected Voronin with 75 votes. Voronin retained Vasile Tarlev as prime minister.
Click here for Moldova’s 2005 Legislative Election Tracker
Moldova aspires to become a member of the European Union (EU). In a televised speech in August 2007, Voronin declared: "European integration is our strategic direction. We understand that our country is not ready to join the EU tomorrow. But we cannot simply neglect European processes—we have to take efforts to turn into a country that will meet European standards."
In March 2008, Tarlev resigned, explaining that he was satisfied with a job well done and that it was time to allow another person to take over as head of government. Voronin nominated PCRM member and economist Zinaida Greceanii to replace him. Greceanii is the first female prime minister in the country’s history.
In late November 2008, a group of European ambassadors in Moldova asked the government to lower the six per cent threshold that political parties must reach in order to gain seats in the Parliament.
On Dec. 3, Voronin rejected the suggestion, adding that countries such as Russia and Turkey have even higher thresholds for small parties to make it to Parliament.
Although he is the leader of the PCRM, Voronin has fostered Moldova’s greater independence from Russia, and is seen as a mostly pro-Western politician.
A new legislative election took place in April 2009. Voronin said he would not seek re-election, but he would remain as chairman of the PCRM.
Final results of the Apr. 5 ballot released on Apr. 21—following a recount—gave the PCRM 49.48 per cent of the vote and 60 seats in the legislature. The Liberal Party (PL) came a distant second with 13.13 per cent and 15 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) and Our Moldova (MN) party also elected lawmakers.
Electoral observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) described the election as free and fair, and "offering voters a distinct political alternative."
Click Here for Moldova’s April 2009 Legislative Election Tracker
By June, the new Parliament had been unable to elect a president. Voronin dissolved the legislature and called for a fresh election.
July 2009 Legislative Election
Moldova’s second legislative election of 2009 will take place on Jul. 29.
On Jun. 3, the new parliament was unable to elect a president for the second time. Zinaida Greceanii of the governing Communist Party of Moldova (PCRM) garnered 60 of the necessary 61 votes to become president. Liberal opposition members of parliament blocked Greceanii’s election.
On Jun. 15, Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin of the PCRM—who had announced his intention to retire once a new head of state was chosen—confirmed a new legislative ballot will take place on Jul. 29, saying, "I have issued a decree of the dissolution of parliament. The atmosphere for this election is much worse than it was before the April election. The opposition wants destabilization, chaos, and the defeat of Moldova."
Before dissolving the legislature, the government approved a rule that will lower the electoral threshold from six per cent to five per cent. The minimum participation rate for a valid election was also lowered to a third of all registered voters.
Voronin has accused the pro-Romanian liberal parties of boycotting elections in Moldova and wanting to annex the country to Romania. Most of Moldova was once part of Romania.
Marian Lupu—a prominent PCRM member who became disenchanted with Voronin—defected and joined the opposition PDM as its new leader. On Jun. 22, as he accepted his new role, Lupu declared: “It’s time that a fresh generation of politicians, new, unstained, intelligent, responsible and reasonable people come to the party with solutions for the future of the country.”
On Jun. 24, Voronin referred to the importance of the upcoming vote, saying, "Will Moldova continue to exist or not? That is the essence of the choice facing our voters. (…) The election on July 29 will be a plebiscite on our independence." The president said that pro-Romanian parties are "not the opponents of the Communist party, they are opponents of the Republic of Moldova and therefore opponents of its citizens. We appeal to those backing Moldova’s independence—let us defend our homeland."
Also on Jun. 24, the three main opposition parties—Liberals, Liberal Democrats and Our Moldova—established a political council. Our Moldova leader Serafim Urecheam declared: “The council is the continuation of our previous electoral efforts. It is well in harmony with the political messages the three parties put forward before the April 5 elections, and is a definite sign of consolidation of Moldovan opposition forces.”
Voting took place on Jul. 29. Preliminary results suggested that the ruling PCRM would not secure a majority of the seats in Parliament. Voronin seemed to concede defeat, declaring, "We are going to opt for a larger coalition so that we can meet the interests of the citizens."
PLD chairman Vlad Filat stated: "I hope that at least this time the Communist party will show its maturity and understanding of the national interest, will accept its defeat and give away power in a democratic way, in line with the existing law and become an opposition party."
Final results gave the four opposition parties—Liberal Democrats, Liberals, Our Moldova and Christian Democrats—53 of the 101 seats at stake. In order to elect a president, the opposition will require the votes of at least eight Communist members.
On Aug. 8, the opposition announced a deal to form a coalition administration. Filat declared: "There are 21 principles that unite us and on which basis we have reached a mutual understanding and agreement to create a ruling coalition in Moldova."
On Sept. 11, Parliament speaker and Liberal Party member Mihau Ghimpu was named acting president, following the resignation of Voronin.
On Sept. 25, Filat took over as prime minister.
On Nov. 4, Ghimpu revealed that the nomination of Marian Lupu as president is expected to be ratified by the Parliament in December, after several Communist lawmakers agreed to support Lupu.
On Nov. 11, following a failed attempt to elect a president, Lupu declared: “The situation is not simple, and the crisis is continuing. We will see how the second round of the presidential election—which must be held before December 10—will go. There is still time. There is still a chance to continue a dialogue among all the parliamentary forces, so that in the future we can try to find a political consensus, a compromise that must, in my opinion, be based on some balance of the rights and responsibilities of the authorities, of the ruling structures, on the one hand, and those of the parliamentary opposition on the other.”
On Dec. 7, the Moldovan Parliament failed again to elect a president. Lupu’s nomination was supported by 53 of the 101 lawmakers, short of the 61 required to be elected. The situation may force a new election, which could be the third in less than a year.
Political Players
President: Mihau Ghimou - PL
Prime minister: Vlad Filat - PLD
The president is elected to a four-year term by Parliament.
Legislative Branch: The Parlamentul (Parliament) has 101 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation with a six per cent threshold.
Results of Last Election:
Parliament - Jul. 29, 2009
|
Vote% |
Seats |
|
|
Communist Party of Moldova (PCRM) |
44.69% |
48 |
|
Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) |
16.57% |
18 |
|
Liberal Party (PL) |
14.68% |
15 |
|
Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) |
12.54% |
13 |
|
Our Moldova (MN) |
7.35% |
7 |
|
Christian-Democratic People’s Party (PPCD) |
1.91% |
-- |
|
Social-Democratic Party of Moldova (PSDM) |
1.86% |
-- |
|
Ecologist Party of Moldova "Green Alliance" (PEM) |
0.41% |
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