In Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, a historic event took place in the form of what president Maia Sandu has called a ‘National Assembly’ of Moldovan people.
People from cities far and wide in Moldova on Sunday came and stood in support of a future Moldovan accession to the EU, after the country gained candidacy status in June last year. An estimated 80,000 people attended the assembly.
Dozens of EU and Moldovan flags lined Chishinau’s Great National Assembly Square. Chants rang out across the crowd of ‘Europe’, ‘Moldova’ and ‘Maia Sandu’ throughout the course of the 4 hour long event which saw rallying speeches from President Sandu and Head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
Last week, Sandu said in an interview that she wants Moldova to join the EU “as soon as possible”, in the belief that “we can save our democracy but only as part of the EU”.
Though the word ‘Russia’ was never directly said in the speeches given at the meeting – it was clear from Metsola’s speech which referenced recent violations of Moldovan airspace and aggression happening on Moldova’s borders, that Russian threats could see Moldova’s EU admission accelerated.
“We will not let you down”, Metsola told the crowds. “You will make Europe stronger. Together we can face anything”. Shouts of “freedom is now” could be heard in support of her encouraging words.
Mini-buses donning European flags on their dashboards lined nearby streets, each having come from a different town in Moldova, shuttling eager participants to the National Assembly.
“We are not afraid” – 65 year old Ephrem tells Universul, who had traveled from his town Cimișlia to attend the event. “I had to be here today, it’s a very important day for the future of our country. The European Union offers many opportunities for Moldova. It has been a long time coming and we don’t want to be associated with bad people anymore”.
No counter-protests took place at the event, despite ongoing tensions between the Shorr party and government. Last week Pro Russian party leader Ilan Shorr was voted in as the Governor of the autonomous region of Gagauzia. One Gagauzian representative Mikhail Sirkeli, a journalist, spoke at the event – telling fellow Gagauzians: “Yes our country has a lot of problems, corruption, economic issues” but emphasized that “this is a historic moment for us… for the future”.
Signs reading ‘DIASPORA’ were present at the National Assembly, in reference to the continued efforts of the government for those Moldovans living abroad to come home and help improve the country. According to statistics, 45% of Moldovans work abroad – with fewer job opportunities and lower salaries available for them at home.
“I worked in Italy for 27 years until I returned 6 months ago,” says Svitlana, 67. “I returned because I’m a pensioner now but I am here today because I want to support future generations. Life will be better, easier in the EU”.
A sizable amount of the crowd was visibly from generations who lived through the USSR. “I’m disappointed that there are not more young people here,” says Radu, 17. “Young people want change but they sit at home. We are the future, we need to be the ones who make our nation better”.
Radu, unlike many who dream of leaving the country to study or work, wants to stay – “in the European Union there would be great opportunity for economic growth, we have huge export capacity and fertile soil – there is a lot of potential”.
Demonstrations were not limited to Moldova on Sunday the 21st, as Moldovans living abroad joined together to demonstrate their support for EU accession, from Rome to Bucharest.
Twenty-one year old Antonia is originally from Moldova but studies in Bucharest – acting as vice president for the organization of Bessarabian students in Bucharest : “Every human from the diaspora wants him and his family to return home to a European Moldova. This National Assembly shows us that the voice of the people matters, that we must express our desire to follow the European with dignity and solidarity with our country”.
The same Sunday afternoon – a resolution was read in Moldovan parliament, one of its principles is that it becomes necessary that the constitution includes EU membership as a non-negotiable requirement for parties who are in power or who will come to power.
