Not a day goes by without new cracks appearing in the ruling coalition. Some deputies declare bluntly that they are incompatible with the coalition, others attack it from behind or covertly, or criticize it on the inside or from the outside. 

Day by day, it becomes obvious that tensions of different voltage shake the fragile balance of government. Nevertheless, for the time being, the coalition is still standing, so do its challenges.

Yet, if the coalition experiences blockages, ultimatums, cracks, upsets, ruptures and even reprisals, why doesn’t it break? Because there are some things that work well.

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For example, communication with foreign partners seems to be a success and a good example for internal communication: the government has made its commitments of transparency and anti-corruption, and following new discussions, the European Union has unlocked external financing, creating new financing possibilities for the projects carried out in Moldova. 

Who stands to gain from this state of affairs? Everybody. Probably even the opposition, not to mention the coalition partners. The economic problems, the budget deficit and the lack of credibility were so profound that only a new government run by honest people could achieve good results. And only such a government can persevere going forward.

If the international community has shown so much openness, and the money is allocated and spent transparently in the interest of Moldova’s citizens, why are cracks appearing? Because not all components of the coalition are transparent and not all can tolerate the lack of integrity. And this is the best thing that could happen to this varicolored coalition.

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There are many voices that say that President Igor Dodon is using the success and integrity of the Sandu Government to accumulate political capital, winning ground at the local elections in two weeks, as well as at the next presidential and parliamentary elections. 

However, there are some elements that cannot be ignored: the people’s craving, interest, and support of integral politicians. It’s an “expensive toy” that Dodon can’t buy, even if he invests a lot of money in the campaigns. Or just because he is investing obscure money in his own image and in his party’s promotion – he will not get the vote of those interested in integrity. Plahotniuc couldn’t procure this “toy” either and without it – he could not govern for too long.

But how important is the vote of integrity? It is probably not very numerous, but much more valuable. It is true, the Socialists have a distinct category of voters, who team up, remain constant and do not bother Dodon with questions about transparency, about financial abuse, the lack of reports and refusal to answer the questions of investigative journalists. 

Other voters do not vote for Dodon personally, but give their vote attracted by promises of immediate welfare. Finally, the segment that votes for integrity is not too numerous, so why would it be most valuable?

At the moment, there is a group of young parliamentarians in the Moldovan legislature of a quality that this state has never had before: not just well educated, but also with principles, values, honesty and (until now) still incorruptible. 

They are desperately willing to be as transparent as possible; they make live transmissions from the legislature, explaining to the citizens everything they have on their desks, in their office, on their minds, and in their pockets. Who is their audience? Their voters. Who are they? Young and old, Romanians, Russians and Ukrainians, men and women, local people and diaspora representatives. They are the people who are tired of corruption and who are willing to live a few more years in austerity in order to enjoy transparency. 

When the coalition bursts into pieces, the political groups will gather their shards to their own image and likeness. The opaque pieces will probably go with Dodon’s Socialist Party because at the moment this party shows a talent for not answering questions about the source of its money and assets. The transparent pieces will go to another vessel. Why do we think that the integrity party, so to speak, will have enough supporters? Maybe for the next elections, there won’t be many voters, but their numbers are growing.

How do we know? One million Moldovan citizens have traveled through Europe and the U.S. and they have not only made money there but also sent home remittances. They learned about democracy, rights and, through remittances, sent home lessons of integrity. Do we have to mention that among today’s youth there are more followers of democracy than among the young people of 30 years ago? People have changed. That is why elections with give away rice, potatoes, roses, and macaroni are no longer a guarantee of success. Even if Moldova is a poor state, not all the old poor people vote for party alms.

There are a lot of elders and young people who want honest mayors, councilors, parliamentarians, and presidents. And they could become the engine of change, if, of course, the honest young people of the Government and Parliament do not disappoint. If they disappoint, by falling into corruption, it’s also good: political opponents and the prosecutor’s office together with the entire unreformed justice system are waiting for them. We remain on guard.

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Alina RADU, alina.radu@zdg.md