The civil society in the Republic of Moldova has taken over the reins of power, exerting it in the interest of its external financiers, cenzura.md writes. The commentary draws on an article disseminating similar narratives, published by the Armenian news portal verelq.am, which in turn cites Dalma News, a media outlet from the Caucasus.
NEWS: “The network of non-governmental organizations created in Moldova by Western states played a key role in the early parliamentary election, which brought to power the pro-Western Action and Solidarity Party (PAS). Western-funded political NGOs got directly involved in the election campaign, supporting pro-Western politicians. And it’s no surprise – president Maia Sandu and her party, PAS, are former activists of NGOs, obeying their every command. Moldova is in fact under the “soft” occupation of NGOs, whose activity undermines the foundations of Moldovan nationhood and statehood”.
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“The political system and parties in the Republic of Moldova found themselves to be controlled by international doners to a large extent”.
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Today, only a few political parties are willing to resist this occupation and fight for the actual independence of their country”.
NARRATIVES: 1. The West has taken hold of the Republic of Moldova via non-governmental organizations. 2. NGOs are undermining the stability and independence of the Republic of Moldova.
BACKGROUND: A genuine “witch hunt” is underway in the Republic of Moldova, targeting the civil society and supported by representatives of the political left-wing. It all started with Socialist Deputy Bogdan Tîrde, who in October 2020, during the presidential election campaign, published a book the central theme of which claims the civil society in the Republic of Moldova is an instrument in the hands of the West, which thereby imposes its authority and control, undermining Moldovan traditional values such as the language, neutrality, Orthodoxy, etc. Such messages are periodically spread by certain media institutions in the Republic of Moldova, and are subsequently fueled by the statements of certain Socialist leaders, in addition to other narratives such as the West’s plans to drag the Republic of Moldova into a war with Russia, or its absolute control over the domestic governance of the country.
The messages intensified after PAS won the snap parliamentary election of July 2021, trying to induce the idea that the victory of Maia Sandu and PAS in the last two rounds of election do not reflect the will of the people, but are merely the result of Western direct interference.
PURPOSE: To discredit the pro-European government and the civil society in the Republic of Moldova. To suggest the Republic of Moldova is ruled by external powers, to the detriment of its national interest. To fuel anti-Western phobias. To promote left-wing, pro-Russian parties as the only ones defending the interests of the Republic of Moldova.
WHY THE NARRATIVES ARE FALSE: The purpose of civil society is to promote and contribute to the development of democratic values, which in turn ensure the economic development of a state. In the Republic of Moldova, apart from creating tens of thousands of jobs and attracting foreign investment, civil society also trained and educated numerous experts, provided expertise, training and guidance in a number of sectors, with a view to helping develop the country.
Non-governmental organizations in the Republic of Moldova militate for a democratic state and do not oppose its independence and sovereignty.
GRAIN OF TRUTH: Part of Moldova’s NGOs are funded by international institutions from the West, like most other NGOs across the world.
