Editing Politics of Moldova (section)

==Issues==

=== Ethnic identity and unification with Romania ===
The underlying issue in the Republic of Moldova revolves around ethnicity and whether the country should [[Unification of Moldova and Romania|re-unite]] with Romania, with which it shares a common ethnicity, language, culture and history. The Republic of Moldova represents roughly the eastern half of what is historically known as the [[Principality of Moldova]]. As a result of the [[Treaty of Bucharest (1812)]], ending the [[Russo-Turkish War of 1806]], it was separated from the western part of the principality along the Prut river and annexed by the Russian Empire, which named it [[Bessarabia]] ([[Basarabia]]). The western half of the former Principality of Moldova, which was not annexed by Russia, united with [[Wallachia]] ([[Țara Românească]]) in 1859 to form the basis for modern day Romania. The eastern half [[Union of Bessarabia with Romania|united]] with Romania in 1918, but was [[Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina|re-annexed by the Soviet Union]] in 1940 as a result of the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]].

Russian and Soviet-era identity politics focused on [[Russification]] in the colonial sense as well as on stressing artificial differences between the Moldovans and the Romanians in an attempt to create a uniquely "Moldovan" identity, including indoctrination against Romania and Romanians. As a result, [[Controversy over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova|Moldovan ethnic identity]] is complicated and divided between those who consider themselves Moldovan and those who consider themselves Romanian. Although Moldovans comprise a sizeable ethnic majority of the population, they are fragmented in terms of degree of Russification and cultural indoctrination. The more pro-Russian the Moldovan, the more likely it is that s/he will call his/her language and ethnicity Moldovan rather than Romanian. Today, Moldova is effectively bilingual, with a Romanian-speaking majority and a sizable and influential, multi-ethnic, Russian-speaking minority, and with the Russian language still dominating the media. The Russophile population is generally hostile to the idea of unification with Romania and typically votes for left-wing parties. The Moldovan majority is divided between pro-Russian nostalgia and growing pro-Romanian and pro-EU sympathies, with a growing number of people supporting the idea of [[Unification of Moldova and Romania|re-unification]] with Romania, especially among the youth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2011%20June%206%20Survey%20of%20Moldova%20Public%20Opinion,%20January%2024-February%207,%202011.pdf|title=International Republican Institute Baltic Surveys Ltd./The Gallup Organization}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://consulting.md/rom/noutati/sondaj-fumn-parerile-moldovenilor-fata-de-unirea-r-moldova-cu-romania|title=Consulting}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unimedia.info/stiri/sondaj-crestere-semnificativa-in-republica-moldova-a-numarului-celor-care-sustin-unirea-cu-romania-95904.html|title=Unimedia|access-date=16 May 2017|archive-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531013807/http://unimedia.info/stiri/sondaj-crestere-semnificativa-in-republica-moldova-a-numarului-celor-care-sustin-unirea-cu-romania-95904.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fumn.eu/sondaj-fumn-pe-tema-unirii-r-moldova-cu-romania-grafice/|title=FUNDAȚIA UNIVERSITARĂ A MĂRII NEGRE|access-date=16 May 2017|archive-date=7 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507140120/http://fumn.eu/sondaj-fumn-pe-tema-unirii-r-moldova-cu-romania-grafice/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Moldovas's pro-Western and pro-Russian factions became increasingly divided since [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]] on 24 February 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Welle (www.dw.com) |first1=Deutsche |title=Moldovan ex-president detained for alleged graft, treason {{!}} DW {{!}} 24.05.2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/moldovan-ex-president-detained-for-alleged-graft-treason/a-61913546 |work=DW.COM}}</ref>  In the [[2024 Moldovan presidential election|November 2024 presidential election]], Moldova's pro-EU President Maia Sandu was re-elected with 55% of the vote in the run-off.<ref>{{cite news |title=Moldova election: Pro-EU leader wins despite alleged Russian meddling |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7w9dglzzlo |work=www.bbc.com}}</ref>

=== Transnistria ===
[[Image:TransnistrianRegionMap.png|thumb|right|150px|[[Transnistria]]n region of Moldova]] 
{{Main|Transnistria}}

Transnistria is a strip of land running along Moldova's eastern border with Ukraine, named after the Dniester river. The Transnistrian region is majority Slavic (Ukrainian and Russian) and Russian-speaking, in contrast with the rest of the country, and it was heavily industrialized during USSR rule. The Moldovan Declaration of Independence claims continuity of Moldovan [[sovereignty]] over the territory of Transnistria as it is "a component part of the historical and ethnic territory of our people". However, the Moldovan Declaration of Independence is itself used as an argument against Moldovan sovereignty over Transnistria as it denounces the Ribbentrop-Molotov agreement of 23 August 1939 between the government of the [[Soviet Union]] and the government of [[Nazi Germany]] "null and void" being the only formal union between the two territories.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/former_assr_pridnestrovie_reminds_moldova_you_yourself_denounced_our_union.html |title=Tiraspol Times; Former ASSR Pridnestrovie reminds Moldova: "You yourself denounced our union" |access-date=3 January 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929194504/http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/former_assr_pridnestrovie_reminds_moldova_you_yourself_denounced_our_union.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After failing to establish control over the breakaway region in the [[War of Transnistria]], Moldova offered a broad cultural and political autonomy to the region. The dispute has strained Moldova's relations with Russia. The July 1992 ceasefire agreement established a tripartite peacekeeping force composed of Moldovan, Russian, and Transnistrian units. Negotiations to resolve the conflict continue, and the ceasefire is still in effect. The [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) is trying to facilitate a negotiated settlement and has had an observer mission in place for several years.

The country remains divided, with the Transnistrian region controlled by separatist forces, supported ''de facto'' by a contingency of Russian troops posing as a peacekeeping mission.

=== Human trafficking ===
Due to the high rate of poverty, Moldova remains a large source-country of illegal sex workers that are exported to Western Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Because of [[Corruption in Moldova|pervasive corruption]] and a general lack of awareness, many victims of [[human trafficking]] are lured into the business with offers of high-salary jobs abroad, and are often trapped once out of the country. The US government urged Moldova to pass an anti-trafficking law in 2005, but due to a lack of enforcement, low regard of legal institutions, and unequal benchmark requirements, clear progress is difficult to ascertain. Organizations such as the [[International Organization for Migration]] provide non-governmental support integral to helping victims. However, NGOs are often subject to domestic constraints and government interference in their work, complicating their operations.

=== Other issues ===
There is disagreement as to whether elections and politics in Moldova are carried out in a free and democratic climate on the part of certain organizations. The [[United States Senate]] has held committee hearings on irregularities that marred elections in Moldova, including arrests and harassment of opposition candidates, intimidation and suppression of independent media, and state-run media bias in favor of candidates backed by the Communist-led Moldovan Government.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120716141758/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&sid=cp108hl6f5&refer=&r_n=sr106.108&db_id=108&item=&sel=TOC_86508& U.S. Library of Congress, Senate report 2004]</ref> Other critics have also referred to the Communist Party government as being authoritarian.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ifex.org/alerts/layout/set/print/layout/set/print/content/view/full/58518/ |title=Statement of Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) |access-date=15 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119000442/http://www.ifex.org/alerts/layout/set/print/layout/set/print/content/view/full/58518/ |archive-date=19 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cpj.org/attacks02/europe02/moldova.html Press freedom report (CPJ)]</ref> Nevertheless, then-U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] stated that: "We note and welcome Moldova's positive record since independence in conducting free and fair elections and in implementing democratic reforms."<ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021217-1.html Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir Voronin on U.S.-Moldovan Relations] U.S. State Department 17 December 2002.</ref>

There were also reports of politically motivated arrests and arrests without valid legal grounds in 2005. Such arrests were allegedly carried out against opponents of the Communist Party government of President [[Vladimir Voronin]]. In one case which was criticized by various Western organizations and individuals, opposition politician Valeriu Pasat was sentenced to ten years imprisonment on dubious grounds.<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/07/e65539ab-4280-4495-8965-d9d02d45c481.html Moldova: An Insider Looks At The Pasat Case] Radio Free Europe. 4 July 2005.</ref>

Moldova joined the [[World Trade Organization]] and the Southeast European Stability Pact in 2001. Of primary importance have been the [[Government of Moldova|Moldovan Government]]'s efforts to improve relations with the [[International Monetary Fund]] and the [[World Bank]] and to comply with agreements negotiated in 2000 by the former government. Agreement in these areas was critical, because large government debts that were due in 2002 had to be rescheduled. The government has made concerted efforts to find ways to pay for Moldova's energy supplies.

Political parties and other groups publish newspapers, which often criticize government policies. There are several independent news services, radio stations, and an independent television station. Peaceful assembly is allowed, though permits for demonstrations must be obtained; private organizations, including political parties, are required to register with the government. Legislation passed in 1992 codified freedom of religion but required that religious groups be recognized by the government.

A 1990 Soviet law and a 1991 Parliamentary decision authorizing formation of social organizations provide for independent trade unions. However, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Moldova, successor to the former organizations of the Soviet trade union system, is the sole structure. It has tried to influence government policy in labour issues and has been critical of many economic policies. Moldovan labour law, which is based on former Soviet legislation, provides for collective bargaining rights.
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