On 11 July we really have choice

For three decades, Moldovans have been voting in parliamentary elections and the result of the local democratic exercise resembles the fascinating natural maritime phenomenon: the ebb and flow in a monotonous and exact, like a Swiss watch, a projection of transient dissatisfaction, frustration and admiration. The reforming forces are getting remarkable results and are excited to start changing things, but they are never coming to an end. The left wing is coming to power with tough promises to rule and increase pensions and salaries, but the disappointment here is not long in coming.

The first thing we must note with regret is the almost total lack of authentic doctrinal parties. Namely, they have a strong and permanent nucleus, which ensures the perpetuation of doctrinaire families and a target electorate that finds its interests in the policies promoted by the party. In our country, the parties come and go because they never wanted or could not fit into the value area of ​​liberal, social-democratic, conservative doctrines. Hence the Brown movement of the electorate, which is strongly influenced by pro-Eastern or pro-Western television propaganda. But the ebb and flow maintains its cadence with dizzying accuracy.

The division into pro-east and pro-west now will be stronger than ever. And this will be influenced by the extremely complicated international situation. Immediately after the implosion of the USSR, it seemed that the ideas of liberal democracies were irreversibly defeated and the history of hostilities would end. However, the much criticized Sammuel Hantington, the author of the famous work The Clash of Civilizations, proved to be a prophet. Increasingly regional armed conflicts, extremely tense situations are taking place on the borders between Western-style civilization, which promotes eternal democratic values: the rule of law, separation of powers, the priority of individual rights and the functioning market economy and states that advocate more for values. collective to the detriment of the individual, a specific treatment of human rights, the strong role of the state in all spheres of activity. The borders between the countries that share these diametrically opposed values ​​are very dynamic, especially in areas still in a delayed transition.

Moldova is in an extremely complicated situation. On the one hand, since 1990, Western models of state construction have been implemented step by step. Our country has not made significant setbacks in respecting the rights and freedoms of citizens and at first sight it has followed the patterns of a democracy. On the other hand, we have inherited a Soviet methahn that imposes a respect for the facade of some principles, and in practice things are different. We have the separation of powers, but we do not have independent institutions. We have the freedom of the press, but in the international top we are with African countries. We are fighting corruption, but we are stealing billions.

The western neighbor, Romania, has made an indisputable choice in Romanian society and is a member of European and Euro-Atlantic organizations. Ukraine, after oscillations identical to ours, found itself in an extremely delicate situation. The sudden attempt by the Ukrainians to integrate in the West has led to territorial losses in Crimea and Donbas and extremely strained relations with Russia. The West is close to Ukraine sentimentally and with economic and military aid. Russia is very close in terms of territory. Recently, Russian-Ukrainian relations have gone through a major crisis, and the evolution of events in this area is difficult to predict. We also have a self-proclaimed neighbor, the eastern districts of Moldova, which are under the control of an unconstitutional regime and supported by a contingent of Russian military forces. This factor plays an important role in the equation called the future of the Republic of Moldova.

The parties come in elections with seemingly similar programs, but in essence diametrically opposed. The pro-Western parties, because in the absence of doctrines we cannot call them right-wing, propose the development of a European model of liberal democracies, promoted in the successful countries of Europe and North America for more than two hundred years. Pro-Eastern parties propose an even closer rapprochement with Russia and the development of a state with strong implications in all areas. What to do in this case the electoral mass of the undecided? That is, those who do not vote on purely political criteria, but are influenced in recent days by certain people, slogans or election promises. If our parties understood the psychology of the people in depth, they would have to simplify the choice of the undecided.

It is no longer 1989, when 99 percent of citizens had not crossed the border. Today a very large percentage traveled both east and west. In addition, hundreds of thousands of Moldovans have settled temporarily or permanently in other countries. That is, information on the state of affairs in these countries is sufficient. Wouldn't it be appropriate for electoral contestants to name one, two, three countries as a model for their programmatic goals? For example, we want to build a country like Great Britain, Germany or France. Others choose an Eastern model, such as Russia, Belarus or Azerbaijan. Thus, the citizen will express his vote much more consciously and more focused on a preferred model.

Over the years, this has been the case for the political class in several countries, proposing as a goal some states that have long since overcome the transition and embraced one model or another. The more consciously the citizen will vote, the closer he will be to the efforts of the next governments to achieve their goals. The famous psychoanalyst and specialist in voter psychology, Elisabet Kubler-Ross, wrote an irresistible phrase: "We are solely responsible for our choices and we must accept the consequences of every deed, every word and thought throughout our lives." . Maybe it's a quote that needs to be massively acquired by 11 July.