As Moldovans lose faith in politicians, neighbor goes for independence

Hated: Approval ratings for Speaker Marian Lupu are now even lower than those of George W Bush (File photo: Eskinder Debebe, UN)

CHISINAU (Tiraspol Times) - In the face of new corruption scandals which are being hushed up in Chisinau, Moldovans are losing faith in the regime and its top politicians.

The most hated politician in the country, according to the poll, is parliamentary speaker Marian Lupu. Today he is trusted by only 28 percent of voters, down 6 percent from a similar poll taken in February 2006. In comparison, U.S. President George W. Bush - who holds the lowest approval rating of any recent U.S. president - clocks in at a comparatively impressive 29 percent.

Moldova's Prime Minister also has negative approval ratings, with more voters disapproving than approving of the way he handles his job. Today only 35% of Moldovans approve of how Vasile Tarlev is doing, down 9% from March 2007 and 8% less than February 2006.

Worried: Moldova's authoritarian President Vladimir Voronin is seen by voters of having run his country into the ground. The regime's #1 man has suffered a steep drop in approval ratings, and is surrounded by charges of corruption and human rights violations.

The country's president, the former Soviet-era general Vladimir Voronin, has suffered a drop in approval ratings and is today only trusted by 43 percent of those polled. The authoritarian president is frequently accused of corruption, nepotism and an increasingly deteriorating human rights situation.

Voronin's overall job approval rating has reached the lowest ever measured in this poll, and more Moldovans than at any time since he took office think he does not share their priorities. The leadership will not allow Pridnestrovie (which it calls by its Romanian name, Transnistria) to develop as a free and independent country, and a plurality of Moldovans now say things in Moldova are pretty seriously off on the wrong track.

Pessimistic public

The poll finds a Moldovan public increasingly pessimistic about the economy, the overall direction of the country, and the president. Moldovans' outlook for the economy is the worst it has been in four years. Most expect their situation to worsen even further in the next few months.

A growing number of Moldovans want to leave Moldova as soon as possible, rather than stay put in what has been named a "failed state" for two years in a row by Washington's Foreign Policy magazine, and the highest percentage ever disapprove of the country's leadership.

Happy: Moldova's #2 man, Oleg Voronin, is also said to be the richest man in the country. The son of the president is a modestly-educated biologist who turned playboy and independent businessman. He says he got all of his wealth honestly.

Lack of trust in the future is widespread and does not only target itself against corrupt individuals, but against general party structures, too. The ruling party of Moldova lost ten percent of its popularity in just five months. Moldova's Communist Party - the party in power - is now trusted by just 34% of those polled. Its main supporter in parliament, the "orange" Christian Democratic Party, fares even worse. Nine of out ten Moldovans have no confidence in the party or its leadership, and it can only muster a mere 10% confidence rating.

However, in parts of Moldovan society it is possible to find exceptions to the general misery. One of the happier Moldovans is the country's #2, Oleg Voronin, an independent "bizniz"-man. The president's son is widely singled out as the country's richest man and controls banks and numerous businesses which do a brisk trade through official contracts and less-official back-room deals.

The son of the president has a modest education as a biologist. He now admits to being extremely wealthy but defends his riches by saying that he acquired his vast wealth honestly and that "I do not steal other companies."

Neighbor only wants "to be left alone"

In the neighboring republic of Pridnestrovie, a 'de facto' independent country which Moldova says is part of Moldova, the population voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence in a referendum last fall.

The area's 550 thousand residents want the world to recognize their right to freedom and a future which does not involve a forced union with Moldova against their will.

" - We just want to be left alone," says a resident of Bender, Pridnestrovie's second largest city. "They have so many problems, and we have a good and stable life here, so we don't want to become a part of that country or be ruled by their thieving politicians."

American commentator Michael Garner sides with Pridnestrovie simply because of what he calls "basic common sense."

" - It is not rocket science. The Moldovan population have lost hope in their elite. The regime is repressive and offers nothing positive for the future. Under these circumstances, why would anyone think that Transdniester could be lured into a free and voluntary union with Moldova?," asks Garner.

With political trust and confidence at an all time low in Moldova, Pridnestrovie prefers to take its own free and independent path to the future. The new and emerging country is seeking international recognition, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointing out that it currently meets all the requirements for statehood under international law.

De facto independent since 1990, Pridnestrovie has its own government, a defined territory, a permanent population and a full set of working government institutions.

See also:
» Failed state index ranks Moldova as worst in Europe
» Son of Moldova's president defends his riches: "I don't steal other companies"
» Misery index in Moldova hits all-time high; "Don't force us to be part of this mess" says PMR