Delegation in Chisinau, Statement by Lothar Bisky "The GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament has been following developments in Moldova with concern for some time now. We are concerned that since the July 2009 elections, Moldovan politicians have failed to find a solution to the political crisis. The serious financial and economic crisis that was brought on by the irresponsible behaviour of big banks means our major concern should be to limit the impact of this crisis on citizens and to improve their social and living conditions. Instead of sowing division, political parties in Moldova should work closely together with these aims in mind. Finding a national consensus on achieving sustainable development in Moldova should be the unifying goal of all political forces.

 

We have learnt about new proposals on overcoming the political deadlock in Moldova via a referendum on the Constitution. Europe has had mixed experiences with the election of Presidents. We will not advise on which procedure is best. Today's societies need active involvement of the citizens and the GUE/NGL group fights for more direct democracy. We support the idea of referendums on fundamental political issues but we insist that there should be enough time and information for the discussion of the subject of the referendum. All voices - those in favour of the proposal and those against - should be heard. Equal media coverage is therefore crucial. It seems to me that two summer months is a very short time to prepare a referendum on constitutional change. But since it is already decided I call on all political forces and civil society to facilitate free and well-informed citizen decision-making. Also, the mistakes of the European Union must be borne in mind: referendum results must be accepted!

 

Whatever the outcome of the referendum in Moldova, we hope for early parliamentary elections as foreseen in the Moldovan constitution. According to the OSCE the 2009 elections met democratic standards. We hope that this remains the case in the forthcoming elections.

 

One of the reasons for our visit to Chisinau concerns the result of the report of the Commission to Study and Evaluate the Totalitarian Communist Regime in Moldova. The Commission recommended the prohibition by law of the term "communist" in a party name, the public use of communist symbols. In advance of an election, this manoeuvre is intended to discredit the Communist Party of Moldova, a party that has received almost half of all votes cast for over 12 years. The GUE/NGL group clearly condemns such anti-democratic behaviour. Left wing, Communist, Labour and "Red-Green" parties are functioning all over Europe. They are represented in national Parliaments, several European institutions such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly and others. Millions of voters in Europe support the ideas of the European Left. The Communist Party of Moldova is Member of the European Left Party and shares our humanist and democratic values. The European Left Party was the first to support, at the request of the Communist Party of Moldova, the European perspective of Moldova in 2007 at our second Congress in Prague. We deeply deplore the continued intimidation and isolation of the Communist Party and are convinced that it is counterproductive.

 

It is true that we have to examine the history of the last century, to recognize the failure to put into practice our socialist ideas, to condemn Stalinism and the human and democratic rights violations committed in socialist countries. I am a member of a party which went through this difficult and often painful reflection process on our own history. To draw lessons is important for finding solutions to the problems of today. It is necessary for national reconciliation. To be successful, it needs to be an inclusive process, not an anti-communist campaign."

 

 

 

 

 

 

European United Left / Nordic Green Left