Course Correction in Moldova: Are the Pandemic, Political Dynamics, and Presidential Election Catalysts for Real Change?

Speakers

• Liviu Vovc, Member of Parliament, Dignity and Truth Platform (DA)
• Gayk Vartanyan, Member of Parliament, Party of Socialists of Moldova (PSRM)
• Dan Perciun, Member of Parliament, Action and Solidarity Party (PAS)
• Nicolae Ciubuc, Member of Parliament, Democratic Party of Moldova (PD)
• Vladimir Cebotari, Member of Parliament, Pro-Moldova Party
• Stela Leuca, Fellow, Frontlines of Democracy Initiative, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
• Jonathan Katz, Senior Fellow, Frontlines of Democracy Initiative, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

The German Marshall Fund of the United States and its Frontlines of Democracy Initiative invite you to a webinar briefing focused on Moldova’s democracy, governance, and future in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the upcoming fall presidential elections.

Like many nations globally, the coronavirus and its socio-economic impacts have accentuated Moldova’s political instability and governance challenges. Over the past several months, democratic backsliding and political infighting has caused Moldova's drift further away from democracy, efforts to combat corruption and to advance rule of law, and Moldova’s Euro-Atlantic track. This dysfunction, at a moment of crisis, has led some members of the parliament to leave the governing majority alliance. Some are calling for the government formed by President Dodon’s party to resign, and they are raising serious questions about whether the upcoming Presidential election on November 1 will be free, fair, and transparent. The current impasse and backsliding in Moldova have also created further doubts in the U.S. and Europe about relations with Moldova, its future as a democracy, and place in Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Members of the Moldovan parliament will join us to present their views on the possible political direction of the country and what it will take to bring Moldova back to a democratic path, to address dire socio-economic needs, to fight corruption, and to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election in November. Is the upcoming election truly an opportunity to renew Moldova’s reform and democratization commitments and change course back towards Western and Euro-Atlantic aspirations? Alternatively, has President Dodon engineered a long-term deepened relationship between Moldova and Russia that will continue past 2020, cementing Moldova’s drift, dysfunction, and political inertia?

If you have any questions, please contact John Alexander at [email protected].