PM says Moldovan citizens deserve to have governance as soon as possible, so to have it

Chisinau, 11 April /MOLDPRES/ – "The citizens deserve to have a governance as soon as possible and they will have it." The statement belongs to the head of the PDM's parliamentary faction, Pavel Filip, in an interview with a portal in Chisinau.  

Q: Mr. Filip, how do you view the current political situation? Can we state that Moldova is in a post – electoral blockage?

A: I think the current discussions and positions on political arena are somehow natural. Surely, except for their unneeded extension, which can cost the country. We had elections a month and a half ago, and now political forces are proposing variants and looking for solutions to ensure the country's governance. I do not discuss the good faith of some of the parties, because the behaviour of each of them has presented what concerns they have.

The new Parliament was summoned and we are in the three-month period in which the new Government can form, and meanwhile the old Government functions with limited attributions, according to the law. We want the new Government, with full powers, to be formed a.s.a.p., in particular to put into practice the social package that PDM spoke about. I believe that things will be resolved in upcoming period with more goodwill on behalf of everyone.

Q: Talking about political positions, how do you see the proposals with which the parliamentary parties came forward? Is there already a basis for creating a coalition?

A: From the point of view of PDM, it must be created a coalition based on people's needs, not from party positions or from positions in the state. The parties should state clearly: here is what we want to do for citizens. And from here onwards – we analise the proposals, programmes and we view the common points, we see the differences, we work on harmonisation.

The best possible coalition is the coalition that will solve people's problems without scandal, without pride and no hidden agenda. It is important to find common points for people and freeze the points that can generate divergences. This is how we see the creation of a coalition as a means of fulfilling the promises we have made to our citizens. Regardless of the political preferences we have – and which PDM has even announced – we want the creation of that coalition that will bring the best result for people. This means a coalition that can implement our electoral proposals, including the social measures we have synthesised a few days ago in the Social Package for Moldova. So we want a coalition interested in solving social problems and able to work well.

Q: So, how do you still comment on delaying the creation of a coalition?

A: The delay and refusal to negotiate a coalition are against the interests of country and its citizens. As far as they are based on the quality of citizens' lives and the country’s economy.

However, there have been taken some steps, as you have seen, and some signals are encouraging. And I think we have to look more closely at the citizens and country's problems to progress in the direction of forming a coalition.

What does not help at all is the refusal to discuss, negotiate. If an electoral campaign could be carried out with NO, the government can not do that. The first condition for forming a ruling coalition is to discuss. I repeat, those who refuse the political dialogue are against the Moldovan citizens. More directly, who promotes the "deaf dialogue" of hidden interests seriously affects the interests of Moldova’s citizens. However, I believe that there are solutions and they must be implemented.

Q: If refusals persist or the dialogue does not work, do you exclude repeated elections? Ultimately, this can also be an unlocking solution.

A: The snap elections are possible, but it is not desirable. And definitely not PDM will cause early elections. Why do we go back into the electoral campaign and return to elections? The campaigns are needed to tell what you have done for citizens to learn from them what you can do next and prove them to be trustworthy. We have already done it. It makes no sense to waste time on the whole process.

The Democratic Party has ruled and opposed the early elections, because such a scenario is bad for Moldova. It is bad for economy, social projects, and general stability of the country. The early elections would only delay the adoption of socially required and expected social measures, discourage business and investment, create uncertainty in all areas.

But I want to make it very clear that the PDM is ready for any variation. And in case of anticipation, I am sure we will win even more MPs, because we will tell people very clearly: be together with those who want to do something for the country, not with those who want only chaos and instability.

Moreover, if early parliamentary elections are to take place, they have to be set as the citizens of the country voted at the 24 February consultative referendum, that is, to elect 61 MPs, and not 101 MPs. I recall that about 2/3 of voters pronounced to reduce the number of MPs at referendum.

Q: But maybe some parties will not simply negotiate or have their own terms they do not give up. So it remains for citizens to judge if it is good or bad ...

A The refusal to negotiate and form a coalition shows fear of assuming liabilities and mistrust in their own ability to govern. But it also means something: it also means deceiving people's expectations. The people did their duty and voted, and now it is time for parties to do their job. The parties are called to solve the country's issues, not to create other ones, and people penalise such destructive behaviours.

I still hope there will be mature and responsible political forces which will assume setting of a coalition and the task of governance. The citizens of the country deserve to have a governance as soon as possible. And they will have it.

Q: How do you see your more concrete creation of this governance? And what should this new governance do for the country from the point of view of PDM?

A: As I said, the interests of people, especially in the social and economic spheres, must be put to the fore. We come after 3 years of beautiful economic growth under conditions of stability. This economic growth can continue and must continue, and in parallel, there must continue social measures.

The PDM has the experience of recent 3 years and knows what needs to be done to further increase the economy. And with a growing economy, we will have rising wages, but also higher revenues to state budget (BS), creating conditions for increasing social payments. I consider here, among other issues, increasing the single indemnity at birth, pensions, compensation for heat, introducing state allowances for children. Also, with higher budget revenues, we can expand public investments of all kinds – road infrastructure, aqueduct, school and kindergarten renovation. Including First Home Programme which can be extended to help more young people buy their dwellings.

Moldova can continue its good road since 2016, but it depends upon responsibility of political class. The mission of the political class is to help, not confuse. I would like all politicians and MPs to meditate on it. The orgy, arrogance and denial, before costing politicians, cost the citizens and Moldova.

The PDM has proposed a number of governance priorities, including a new poll in which we tested people's wishes for the day, and we are open to aligning them with the priorities of other parties. If we understand here, on programmes, it is possible to continue the assumption of nominal liabilities in the act of governance. We will continue to invite to dialogue and accept invitations to dialogue to discuss exact things. And I trust that we will move forward quickly on the path of creating a coalition and a programme of governance.