Who stands behind Chisinau protests?

Anti-government protests in Moldova have flared up again on October 3-4. Supporters of the pro-Russian Our Party and Party of Socialists erected a tent city in front of the parliament building in Chisinau. The Civic Platform Dignity and Truth urged Moldovans to go on an open-ended protest.

“We will start to create strike committees in every school, every trolleybus park, etc. We will block the government functions, block this junta so that it drowns in its own swill,” one of the leaders of the Dignity and Truth Vasile Nastase was quoted as saying by web portal point.md.

It was also reported that the October 4 rally ended with the activists creating their own paramilitary force called the People’s Guard. According to newsmaker.md, it is assumed that it will include people with military training, and its task will be to “protect the protesters from the provocations of the authorities.”

Let us recall that the chief demands of the protesters who have staged demonstrations since early September are the resignation of President Nicolae Timofti and the Cabinet as well as the holding of early parliamentary election. In addition, the Moldovans call for bringing to justice those responsible for the theft of more than a billion dollars from the banking system of Moldova.

The Day asked expert of the analytical center IDIS Viitorul Viorel CHIVRIGA (Chisinau) for a forecast of the future development of the protests in Moldova.

“Looking at the issues which have arisen in Moldova in recent years, there are many of them, and it is serious enough for such a small country.

“However, the protesters’ demands are problematic as well. The demonstrators are an unusual bunch, including supporters of both right-wing and left-wing parties. They call for the resignation of top officials. However, we need a more in-depth approach: is the rot limited to only these politicians, or has it spread to many others who head major departments and agencies? At the same time, all of this must be viewed comprehensively, because it is all linked together.

“It should also be understood that Moldova passed the Rubicon in 2014 when the November 30 parliamentary election was held. However, some say that the election was rigged.

“The protesters’ mood is currently such that even a small spark can lead to disastrous consequences, like those seen on April 7, 2009 [there were riots in Moldova on that day, preceded by an opposition. rally. – Ed.]. We should treat what is happening very carefully and take it seriously. We should also consider any scenarios, including these that may have much more disappointing consequences than those of 2009, rather than positive ones. Given the number of groups represented in these protests, their demands also vary.

“The government may concede some points, in particular replace heads of certain departments. However, I see no consensus on which of the ministers could become the scapegoats.

“The demonstrators’ demands can change as well. We should realize that to keep so many people in the streets, the organizers will need significant financial resources and a very good team that would work to keep the rallies going strongly. At the moment, I do not see these protests staying at the level they were two or three weeks ago, much less strengthening further.

“In a month, the situation will be completely different. Firstly, the Moldovans will have to pay more for electricity and gas. A jump in food prices is expected as well. This side of life is invisible at the moment, but it will soon bare its teeth. People will also face fatigue that inevitably grows during these protests. It is impossible to keep that many people in a state of high tension for months. You either solve their problems or get them to understand that the demands now put forward will not be met.

“Russia has always been a factor in Moldova, before 2009 as well as after. It was evident even when all was calm in Moldova. There are regions where this factor is obvious and exercises a great influence on all phenomena in their political and economic life. I mean Gagauzia, Transnistria, and the city of Balti. The fifth column shows itself quite often in Moldova.

“During these protests, we have had a new tent city erected, which was organized by supporters of Renato Usatii and Igor Dodon (the leaders of the pro-Russian parties). As for the leaders of these parties, one of them, I mean Dodon, worked very hard in the past year when there were issues with the access of Moldovan goods to the Russian market. He then organized marches in the north of the country, aimed at destabilizing the situation in Gagauzia. Usatii and Dodon are supporters and members of the fifth column in Moldova.”