Moldova’s President Follows in Plahotniuc’s Footsteps

Moldovan President Igor Dodon believes that some accredited ambassadors in Moldova are trying to block the dialogue of the new Government with Brussels. While asking the experts about Dodon’s statements one of them told ZdG that Dodon is following in Vladimir Plahotniuc’s (former leader of the Democratic Party) footsteps.

After President Igor Dodon criticized Moldova’s ambassadors he launched accusations against the ambassadors from the European Union (EU) countries accredited to Moldova. Dodon believes that some of the EU ambassadors to Moldova are trying to block the dialogue of the new government with Brussels, misinforming the European capitals and stopping projects that are already launched. 

Dodon answers weekly to questions coming from people during the President Answers weekly episodes on his Youtube channel.

During the episode from February 14, Dodon claimed that some of the EU ambassadors appointed to Moldova are trying to block the dialogue of the new government with Brussels. He said that at least three to four ambassadors misinform European capitals. 

Dodon stated that those ambassadors go to different institutions, block projects that are already launched, and say that no money should be given to the new government.

“I am continuously discussing with them, I gave them a message. We see that some of them are trying to block the dialogue of the new Government with Brussels. They’re blocking it. They misinform Brussels. I will not give a name, because they know each other, at least three or four ambassadors dealing with bilateral relations between Moldova and the EU go to different institutions, block projects that are already launched, say that no money should be given to this Government and so on,” Dodon mentioned in the edition published on Friday, February 14, of the President Answers TV.  

In the same broadcast, Dodon mentioned that diplomats should develop bilateral relations. He also believes that some of the ambassadors are supporters of the opposition parties. 

“If you are in love with a political party, some of you seem to already be members of the Action and Solidarity Party (an opposition party led by former Prime Minister Maia Sandu) of Dignity and Truth Platform (an opposition party led by former Minister of Internal Affairs and co-leader of the ACUM bloc, Andrei Năstase) […] 

Do you want to be a party member? Okay, probably, you get Moldova’s citizenship, you make politics in Moldova. But I ask you very much let’s deal with the development of bilateral relations, but not with promoting the image of one party or another,” Dodon added. 

ZdG asked the experts about Dodon’s recent statements regarding some EU ambassadors accredited to Moldova. 

Foreign and European policy expert Iulian Groza notes that Dodon’s statements remind him of former Prime Minister Pavel Filip’s statements made in 2018 to the EU countries ambassadors after the macro-financial assistance was frozen. 

“The same language, but this time even more decisive. Certainly, such statements do not fit in the diplomatic and international relations. A president shouldn’t make such statements. There are speculations and attacks on the entire diplomatic corps accredited in Moldova. I have never heard a president speak in such a way, ” Groza concluded for ZdG.

Political analyst Veaceslav Berbeca explained to ZdG that Dodon thus transformed the diplomatic body into a so-called scapegoat for his voters. The reason is that there is no money and no promised projects are initiated.

“The relations between Moldova and the EU are bad anyway because Igor Dodon is considered an unserious partner, whom you cannot trust. He says one and does something else,” commented the expert.

Berbeca urges Dodon, the Socialist Party’s informal leader to give the names of the ambassadors to whom he refers, and not only throw statements. He also argues that the Socialist Party is a pro-Russian party and that Dodon is not welcomed by foreign leaders.

“Even if the ambassadors about whom he is speaking would speak good things about Moldova, the situation would not change. And this is because Dodon follows in Plahotniuc’s footsteps, controlling the state institution and concentrating the media. 

In addition to the ambassadors, there are other people who talk to the EU institutions. The message should be perceived as Dodon’s frustration. He is isolated. He has no opportunity to meet with international leaders except in the halls, where he can take some pictures and post them on Facebook. 

EU’s position and that of the western states is that if Moldova fails to prove that reforms are not being made, then relations will not be very good. He is responsible in Moldova when we talk about the prevention of corruption and other issues. […] 

Relations with the western states will not be affected. Romania, for example, said that the cooperation will continue through local authorities rather than central ones.

Dodon’s statements are not something new for Moldova’s partners. He is a compromised leader for the West. 

I am under the impression that he takes advice from Plahotniuc’s advisers,” stressed Berbeca for ZdG.