Moldovan Elections - A Victory for Socialism

[Shofercia]

Sort of. Moldova has a good election system, at least on paper, where 50 out of 101 seats are elected on the basis of proportional representation, and the remaining 51 based on single constituency districts. With 90 percent of the votes counted, the results are as follows:

PSRM - Socialists, Euro-Skeptics, old school Unionists: 32% (17)
PDM - Socialists, massive corruption charges, pro-EU: 25% (14)
ACUM - Liberals, Europeans, EPP fanboys and fangirls: 25% (14)
SOR - Russian Nationalists, Conservatives: 9% (5)
Remaining pro-Russian Parties: 6% (didn't meet threshold)
Everyone else: 3% (didn't meet threshold)

However, that's just for 50% of the vote. The other 51 districts are as follows:
PSRM - 19 (36)
PDM - 18 (32)
ACUM - 12 (26)
SOR - 2 (7)

So on the one hand you have the Socialists holding the reigns of power (36+32) but on the other - you have the Europhiles (32+26) meaning that the EU would be welcomed in Moldova, but the EPP policies would not. Naturally ACUM's leader, (who probably committed most of the electoral fraud, although for Moldova there wasn't much in this election cycle,) for whom the result is a disaster, is crying about election fraud, unfairness, and so on...

Does the EU want another Socialist State from Eastern Europe? That is the question that the EU must answer, or wait four more years, or whenever the next election is.

I think that this was an interesting election to watch on a Sunday, much more exciting than this year's Superbowl. What does NSG think?

[Shrillland]

Sort of. Moldova has a good election system, at least on paper, where 50 out of 101 seats are elected on the basis of proportional representation, and the remaining 51 based on single constituency districts. With 90 percent of the votes counted, the results are as follows:

PSRM - Socialists, Euro-Skeptics, old school Unionists: 32% (17)
PDM - Socialists, massive corruption charges, pro-EU: 25% (14)
ACUM - Liberals, Europeans, EPP fanboys and fangirls: 25% (14)
SOR - Russian Nationalists, Conservatives: 9% (5)
Remaining pro-Russian Parties: 6% (didn't meet threshold)
Everyone else: 3% (didn't meet threshold)

However, that's just for 50% of the vote. The other 51 districts are as follows:
PSRM - 19 (36)
PDM - 18 (32)
ACUM - 12 (26)
SOR - 2 (7)

So on the one hand you have the Socialists holding the reigns of power (36+32) but on the other - you have the Europhiles (32+26) meaning that the EU would be welcomed in Moldova, but the EPP policies would not. Naturally ACUM's leader, (who probably committed most of the electoral fraud, although for Moldova there wasn't much in this election cycle,) the result is a disaster.

Does the EU want another Socialist State from Eastern Europe? That is the question that the EU must answer, or wait four more years, or whenever the next election is.

I think that this was an interesting election to watch on a Sunday, much more exciting than this year's Superbowl. What does NSG think?

I probably should've done a thread on it weeks ago, but it didn't seem that major...honestly, none of the parties look all that good.

Anyway, how do we know that there was voter fraud, Shof?

[Kowani]

Moldova is perhaps the most inconsequential state in Eastern Europe.

[Shofercia]

Sort of. Moldova has a good election system, at least on paper, where 50 out of 101 seats are elected on the basis of proportional representation, and the remaining 51 based on single constituency districts. With 90 percent of the votes counted, the results are as follows:

PSRM - Socialists, Euro-Skeptics, old school Unionists: 32% (17)
PDM - Socialists, massive corruption charges, pro-EU: 25% (14)
ACUM - Liberals, Europeans, EPP fanboys and fangirls: 25% (14)
SOR - Russian Nationalists, Conservatives: 9% (5)
Remaining pro-Russian Parties: 6% (didn't meet threshold)
Everyone else: 3% (didn't meet threshold)

However, that's just for 50% of the vote. The other 51 districts are as follows:
PSRM - 19 (36)
PDM - 18 (32)
ACUM - 12 (26)
SOR - 2 (7)

So on the one hand you have the Socialists holding the reigns of power (36+32) but on the other - you have the Europhiles (32+26) meaning that the EU would be welcomed in Moldova, but the EPP policies would not. Naturally ACUM's leader, (who probably committed most of the electoral fraud, although for Moldova there wasn't much in this election cycle,) the result is a disaster.

Does the EU want another Socialist State from Eastern Europe? That is the question that the EU must answer, or wait four more years, or whenever the next election is.

I think that this was an interesting election to watch on a Sunday, much more exciting than this year's Superbowl. What does NSG think?

I probably should've done a thread on it weeks ago, but it didn't seem that major...honestly, none of the parties look all that good.

Anyway, how do we know that there was voter fraud, Shof?

Not sure if there was an amount of it that would concern most people, at least not by Moldova's standards. I heard very few complaints, hence the probably qualifier. Here's a link to Sandu's whining: https://www.apnews.com/7227da62b6ea4a08b102529cca45ea74

Election authorities said voter turnout was just over 49 percent when polls closed. ACUM party leader Maia Sandu told The Associated Press that the election was “the most undemocratic in the history of Moldova. A gang of thieves ... has captured the state institutions” and are “scaring ... threatening and impoverishing us,” Sandu said Sunday as she urged Moldovans to vote... Last year, the European Parliament called Moldova “a state captured by oligarchic interests.” The European Union also froze aid to Moldova after a local court invalidated the 2018 Chisinau mayoral election on a technicality, a move to thwart the apparent victory of a pro-European candidate.

But Vladimir Plahotniuc, the Democratic Party chief and the country’s de-facto leader, on Sunday insisted the ruling party had brought “order and discipline” through its economic policies. Despite that claim, an estimated 1 million Moldovans have moved abroad to find jobs, mainly in the EU and Russia. Moldova’s voting system has been changed in what critics say is a ploy to help the two main parties — the Socialists and the Democrats — carve up influence. About 340 international observers from 38 countries monitored the ballot.

I do know that someone in Plahotniuc's party stole quite a bit of money, (I think it was around a billion dollars,) from Moldova's Banking System. Ilan Shor - the leader of the SOR party, was also allegedly implicated. But no direct evidence was found tying either Plahotniuc or Shor to the crime. That's the only major scandal that I'm aware of.

[Shrillland]

I probably should've done a thread on it weeks ago, but it didn't seem that major...honestly, none of the parties look all that good.

Anyway, how do we know that there was voter fraud, Shof?

Not sure if there was an amount of it that would concern most people, at least not by Moldova's standards. I heard very few complaints, hence the probably qualifier. Here's a link to Sandu's whining: https://www.apnews.com/7227da62b6ea4a08b102529cca45ea74

Election authorities said voter turnout was just over 49 percent when polls closed. ACUM party leader Maia Sandu told The Associated Press that the election was “the most undemocratic in the history of Moldova. A gang of thieves ... has captured the state institutions” and are “scaring ... threatening and impoverishing us,” Sandu said Sunday as she urged Moldovans to vote... Last year, the European Parliament called Moldova “a state captured by oligarchic interests.” The European Union also froze aid to Moldova after a local court invalidated the 2018 Chisinau mayoral election on a technicality, a move to thwart the apparent victory of a pro-European candidate.

But Vladimir Plahotniuc, the Democratic Party chief and the country’s de-facto leader, on Sunday insisted the ruling party had brought “order and discipline” through its economic policies. Despite that claim, an estimated 1 million Moldovans have moved abroad to find jobs, mainly in the EU and Russia. Moldova’s voting system has been changed in what critics say is a ploy to help the two main parties — the Socialists and the Democrats — carve up influence. About 340 international observers from 38 countries monitored the ballot.

I do know that someone in Plahotniuc's party stole quite a bit of money, (I think it was around a billion dollars,) from Moldova's Banking System. Ilan Shor - the leader of the SOR party, was also allegedly implicated. But no direct evidence was found tying either Plahotniuc or Shor to the crime. That's the only major scandal that I'm aware of.

Turnout was that low? That's pretty bad.

[Far Easter Republic]

Socialists that are Euro-skeptics? Is Moldova The Twilight Zone or what?

[Shrillland]

Socialists that are Euro-skeptics? Is Moldova The Twilight Zone or what?

This is what comes when a country is artificially created as an excuse to hold the mouth of the Danube(at least, that's how I see it, if anyone here is from there, I've no qualms with you personally.) By rights, it should've reunified with Romania, but they decided against it because the Soviets managed to create an entirely new national identity based on using Cyrillic letters.

[Far Easter Republic]

Moldova is perhaps the most inconsequential state in Eastern Europe.

Yeah. They got caught up in a big war(Transnistria) and unlike the Former Yugoslavia, never recovered.

[Shofercia]

Not sure if there was an amount of it that would concern most people, at least not by Moldova's standards. I heard very few complaints, hence the probably qualifier. Here's a link to Sandu's whining: https://www.apnews.com/7227da62b6ea4a08b102529cca45ea74



I do know that someone in Plahotniuc's party stole quite a bit of money, (I think it was around a billion dollars,) from Moldova's Banking System. Ilan Shor - the leader of the SOR party, was also allegedly implicated. But no direct evidence was found tying either Plahotniuc or Shor to the crime. That's the only major scandal that I'm aware of.

Turnout was that low? That's pretty bad.

Last turnout was just 56% and the one before that - 65%. Moldovans also just want a quite life; they don't want to go be dragged out on the international stage, especially after what happened in Ukraine.

[Shrillland]

Turnout was that low? That's pretty bad.

Last turnout was just 56% and the one before that - 65%. Moldovans also just want a quite life; they don't want to go be dragged out on the international stage, especially after what happened in Ukraine.

Reasonable enough, their mere existence is still controversial, so I can understand they'd want to be left alone.

[Far Easter Republic]

Socialists that are Euro-skeptics? Is Moldova The Twilight Zone or what?

This is what comes when a country is artificially created as an excuse to hold the mouth of the Danube(at least, that's how I see it, if anyone here is from there, I've no qualms with you personally.) By rights, it should've reunified with Romania, but they decided against it because the Soviets managed to create an entirely new national identity based on using Cyrillic letters.

So the USSR put Romanian in Cyrillic script?

[Shrillland]

This is what comes when a country is artificially created as an excuse to hold the mouth of the Danube(at least, that's how I see it, if anyone here is from there, I've no qualms with you personally.) By rights, it should've reunified with Romania, but they decided against it because the Soviets managed to create an entirely new national identity based on using Cyrillic letters.

So the USSR put Romania in Cyrillic script?

No, they snatched what's now Moldova from Romania in 1940(just after taking the Baltic States) claiming that they were culturally distinct and wanted to remain under Russian protection(which was technically true when Romania took them in the early 1920s), and put Moldova in Cyrillic script, claiming that that alone made Moldovan a distinct language.

[Shofercia]

Moldova is perhaps the most inconsequential state in Eastern Europe.

Yeah. They got caught up in a big war(Transnistria) and unlike the Former Yugoslavia, never recovered.

There are a lot of reasons that they didn't recover. First, they're a poor, landlocked country, that has generated few investments. Second, there's the aforementioned corruption. When 12% of your country's GDP disappears in a single heist... not good. Third, there's the issue of identity - "am I Russian, Moldovan, or Romanian - halp!" so that can lead to apathy. Then there's political fragmentation - they have 15 parties. There's poor party planning; in this election alone, Socialists and SOR could've had at least four more seats. It's just a lot of issues to deal with, for a poor, fragmented, land locked country, in a crappy region.

[Shofercia]

Socialists that are Euro-skeptics? Is Moldova The Twilight Zone or what?

Moldovans saw the EPP policies first hand, as laborers in EPP countries, and quite frankly - hated them. Those economic policies could wreck Moldova. Socialism is the only winner of this election, be it Europhile or Euro-skeptic. Don't forget, pro-EU Socialists are the ruling party in Moldova.

Edit: Moldovan Political Matrix, with the Ruling Party bolded:

SOR - 7
PSRM - 36
PDM - 32
ACUM - 26

You need 51 to get a majority. PSRM and SOR have 43. ACUM has 26. Policy-wise, PDM, the current ruling party, is between them.

[Shrillland]

Socialists that are Euro-skeptics? Is Moldova The Twilight Zone or what?

Moldovans saw the EPP policies first hand, as laborers in EPP countries, and quite frankly - hated them. Those economic policies could wreck Moldova. Socialism is the only winner of this election, be it Europhile or Euro-skeptic. Don't forget, pro-EU Socialists are the ruling party in Moldova.

It was until now anyway, now it's a PSRM majority government, which will at least mean stability on the domestic front. A pro-Russian government neighbouring Ukraine, on the other hand, could be problematic for both countries.

I'm also not a fan of the PSRMs opposition to "American Values", which is a nice way of saying they hate LGBTQ people, but it is Eastern Europe, so change comes slowly on that front.

[Shofercia]

Moldovans saw the EPP policies first hand, as laborers in EPP countries, and quite frankly - hated them. Those economic policies could wreck Moldova. Socialism is the only winner of this election, be it Europhile or Euro-skeptic. Don't forget, pro-EU Socialists are the ruling party in Moldova.

It was until now anyway, now it's a PSRM majority government, which will at least mean stability on the domestic front. A pro-Russian government neighbouring Ukraine, on the other hand, could be problematic for both countries.

Not really. A pro-Russian Government in neighboring Ukraine would have its hands full with Ukraine. Keep in mind that Ukraine is even more economically fucked up than Moldova, and is even more in a demographic death spiral. Ukraine might be the first European country to achieve a demographic death spiral - unique achievement unlocked.

[Far Easter Republic]

So the USSR put Romania in Cyrillic script?

No, they snatched what's now Moldova from Romania in 1940(just after taking the Baltic States) claiming that they were culturally distinct and wanted to remain under Russian protection(which was technically true when Romania took them in the early 1920s), and put Moldova in Cyrillic script, claiming that that alone made Moldovan a distinct language.

So is Moldovan Romanian+Cyrillic or is it even more separate?

[Shrillland]

It was until now anyway, now it's a PSRM majority government, which will at least mean stability on the domestic front. A pro-Russian government neighbouring Ukraine, on the other hand, could be problematic for both countries.

Not really. A pro-Russian Government in neighboring Ukraine would have its hands full with Ukraine. Keep in mind that Ukraine is even more economically fucked up than Moldova, and is even more in a demographic death spiral. Ukraine might be the first European country to achieve a demographic death spiral - unique achievement unlocked.

I didn't say in Ukraine, I was talking about Moldova's new Pro-Russian government being in the uncomfortable position of being next to a far larger country that hates Russia with a vengeance.

[Far Easter Republic]

Not really. A pro-Russian Government in neighboring Ukraine would have its hands full with Ukraine. Keep in mind that Ukraine is even more economically fucked up than Moldova, and is even more in a demographic death spiral. Ukraine might be the first European country to achieve a demographic death spiral - unique achievement unlocked.

I didn't say in Ukraine, I was talking about Moldova's new Pro-Russian government being in the uncomfortable position of being next to a far larger country that hates Russia with a vengeance.

I think we could place Moldova in the west Balkans and nothing would change.

[Shrillland]

No, they snatched what's now Moldova from Romania in 1940(just after taking the Baltic States) claiming that they were culturally distinct and wanted to remain under Russian protection(which was technically true when Romania took them in the early 1920s), and put Moldova in Cyrillic script, claiming that that alone made Moldovan a distinct language.

So is Moldovan Romanian+Cyrillic or is it even more separate?

Yep, it's just Romanian with Cyrllic script, but Moldovans will insist that it's different than Romanian.

[Far Easter Republic]

So is Moldovan Romanian+Cyrillic or is it even more separate?

Yep, it's just Romanian with Cyrllic script, but Moldovans will insist that it's different than Romanian.

That makes sense.

[Shofercia]

Not really. A pro-Russian Government in neighboring Ukraine would have its hands full with Ukraine. Keep in mind that Ukraine is even more economically fucked up than Moldova, and is even more in a demographic death spiral. Ukraine might be the first European country to achieve a demographic death spiral - unique achievement unlocked.

I didn't say in Ukraine, I was talking about Moldova's new Pro-Russian government being in the uncomfortable position of being next to a far larger country that hates Russia with a vengeance.

I don't think that Ukraine is going to start shit in Moldova. For starters, there's a Russian Base in Predniestrovie, and every time Ukrainians end up going actual Russian military units, it's usually a quick Ukrainian surrender. Ukraine can try something in the North of Moldova, but that'll piss off Romania, a NATO member. Ukraine can cut gas to Moldova, but Russia can cut gas to Ukraine. Plus, unless Poroshenko or Lyashko win, the next president of Ukraine is going to be less of a Russophobe than the current drunk.

Timoshenko hates wars, because they're bad for business. Zelensky wants to fix up local issues, like roads and other things that'll "accidentally" benefit his group's commercial interests, so he's not going to start some giant war. Boyko is pro-Russian, and will focus on actual issues, like the economy. Hrystenko is a retread of Yushenko, and doesn't have the balls to start a war. Poroshenko's also focused on the current election, not Moldova. So relax, unless Poroshenko or Lyashko come to power, you don't have to worry.

[Thermodolia]

Socialists that are Euro-skeptics? Is Moldova The Twilight Zone or what?

Where have you been? Socialist, the actual ones not the socialists who are SocDem, are quite skeptical of the EU. The French Communist Party is skeptical of the EU as are other parties like the Left in Sweden.

[The Blaatschapen]

Socialists that are Euro-skeptics? Is Moldova The Twilight Zone or what?

No.

Corbyn clones

Or rather, old style socialism isn't particularly fond of the liberal market(and government procurement) rules of the EU.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmen ... pean_Union

That said, regarding the OP: Moldova is not joining any time soon. Regardless of the coalition chosen. Moldova has some internal issues to solve. And get up to speed with the whole

Including Transnistria, and while it wouldn't be the first time where a countries territory is not entirely under their control before joining the EU (Turkish Cyprus), it does make it trickier.

[Sovaal]

Moldova is perhaps the most inconsequential state in Eastern Europe.

Transnistria would like to have a word.