Moldova: 25 years of independence

Vasile Ernu, writer, political commentator

MOLDPRES: After the proclamation of Independence, Moldova could follow three ways of development: independent, unionist or closely dependent on the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (most recently, the Eurasian Union). Should we start from the very beginning, what path would you choose?

Ernu: The fact is that Moldova was on the path chosen by almost all Soviet Union Republics. Everyone had the path of independence. So we did. Unification has delayed, and there were no political groups really willing it. Referring to the EU integration, things are not simple. I think that we lose too much energy on “geopolitical” solutions obsessions, looking for guilty people and rescuers outside, and forgetting to focus on our own solutions. Out problems are inside. I think that most solutions are inside too. No one will save us. I think that during 25 years we are going to nowhere and unfortunately, we could not create a functional state, meant to bring a minimum of guarantees to citizens.

I would not look outward so much, but firstly I would try to find solutions to the internal issues. The time is ripe for getting back to us and trying to solve these problems. How? This is already another talk.

MOLDPRES: What future do you see for Moldova?

Ernu: I have just published two books on the matter. The first is a book of interviews on analysis of Moldova’s path during modern times and mainly, the independence period. The second book is focused on what was wrong with this country over the last 25 years.

My personal conclusions are gloomy. Moldova is facing social and economic problems now. We have a “captive state”, dominated by an “elite”, fighting for their own privilege to accumulate capital. Most of people does not trust state institutions. A paradoxical situation prevails: we have independence, but everything looks like in periods of foreign occupation. Citizens have become a sort of partisan: some in migration, at work and slavery, and others are coping with as they can at home. I think that next period we should invent not a civil society, but a civil defense fighting from “independence” to “liberation”.   This is not a simple process, but it must be done, if we want to have future.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor A. Răileanu)