The International Institute for Peace (IIP) cordially invites you to the upcoming panel discussion on the topic:
Moldova in 2019: Recap of the year and prospects for 2020
Date: Monday, 13 January 2020
Time: 6:00 pm
Venue: International Institute for Peace (IIP); Möllwaldplatz 5/2,
1040 Wien
Registration: registration@iip.at
https://www.iipvienna.com/registration
PROGRAM
Welcome:
Stephanie Fenkart, director at IIP
Speakers:
Victoria Rosa, former security advisor to PM Maia Sandu and Executive Director at Foreign Policy Association of the Republic of Moldova/APE
Iulian Groza, Executive Director at Institute for European Policies and Reform / IPRE, Chisinau
Moderator:
Hannes Swoboda, president of the IIP and former MEP
Content:
The past year has been increasingly turbulent in Moldova’s politics. After February 2019 parliamentary elections, negotiations for an unprecedented government coalition were declared by two parties from the opposite sides of the political spectrum, namely the center-right pro-European ACUM and the pro-Russian Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM). After more than three months of negotiations a government was formed. It was supported by all major international actors, including the USA, Russia, and the EU. What united the political actors within and outside the country was the deep dissatisfaction with the state capture in Moldova by oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc. Not without a political struggle that led to two governments simultaneously claiming legitimacy in June, former Prime Minister and deputy chair of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) - run by Plahotniuc - Pavel Filip stepped down, while Plahotniuc himself, fearing prosecution, fled the country. The new coalition of ACUM and PSRM took office, putting on its agenda thorough reforms of the judicial system, fight against corruption and economic reforms. The EU supported the new government, immediately releasing previously withheld micro financial assistance. However, in five months the coalition fell apart, with the vote of no confidence being initiated by the PRSM against its coalition partner. The main cause for this motion was disagreements over the rules of appointment of the Attorney General. Moldova seemed to return to square one after Prime Minister Maia Sandu (ACUM party) stepped down on November 12th. In just two days, on November 14th, a more familiar coalition government of PDM and PRSM was formed.
This public discussion will address the most pressing questions that Moldova will face in 2020. Will the new coalition hold and will it deliver on the reforms that will allow to further benefit from the EU funds? What role does Russia play in Moldova’s politics today? With the presidential elections scheduled for fall 2020, will the incumbent president Igor Dodon – who is also an informal leader of the PRSM - attempt diplomatic steps towards the EU, despite his strong ties to Russia? What will the strategy of the opposition parties be like? How does the conflict in Transnistria play into this and will there be new initiatives to move forward with its resolution?
The Discussion will be held in English.
The IIP invites to snacks and drinks after the event!
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