Journal Entries from Moldova
In the heart of Moldova, nestled between hills 80 kilometers from the capital Chisinau, lies a quiet village where the author's grandmother resides, alone since her husband's passing. The village, like many others in the country, has been grappling with the effects of population decline, as over the past three decades, Moldova has lost 34 percent of its population.
The village is a world apart from the political turmoil that has engulfed the country. President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of wanting to bring Moldova under its control and preparing 'extreme interventions.' She also condemned the 'unprecedented fraud' in the recent referendum on EU accession, claiming that 300,000 votes were planned to be purchased to prevent it.
Amidst this chaos, Daniela Calmis, an independent journalist from Moldova, is making her mark. She is a participant in the Panter Foundation's Eastern Europe Workshop, a project funded by the Foundation. Daniela's work shines a light on the corruption that has plagued Moldova for years, including the bank fraud that cost the country 12 percent of its GDP, a scandal that involved politico Ilan Shor.
Ilan Shor, who fled to Moscow after his conviction became final, exploited the weakness of older people for years to gain political capital and evade justice. The author's grandmother was one of those targeted, invited to events organized by Shor where she was offered free cookies and cola. Despite this, she remains skeptical about the political situation, stating that it starts anew as elections approach.
The upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 28, are a crucial moment for Moldova. The European Parliament has called for an acceleration of Moldova's accession to the EU, a move that many hope will bring much-needed change to the country.
In the face of these challenges, there is a sense of optimism. As the author left the village, a minibus banner caught his eye, reading 'Moldova can make it.' The resilience of the elderly, like the author's grandmother, is a testament to the spirit of the Moldovan people, who continue to hope for a better future.
However, the fight against corruption is far from over. New arrests related to election fraud under the leadership of politico Ilan Shor were announced recently, a sign that justice may yet be served. As the country moves towards a new political chapter, the hope is that the people of Moldova can finally begin to rebuild their lives and their country.
