Migration issue in programs and platforms of political parties in Moldova

Abstract

Over the last decade the labour migration has become a defining feature of social, economic and political life in Moldova. Remittances sent by Moldovan migrants appeared critical in fueling country’s consumption-based economic growth and driving thousands of Moldovan families out of poverty. On the flip side, Moldovan economy became dependent on these remittances, labour shortages became pronounced while social fabric came under serious stress. No less important, in the last years importance of Moldovan diaspora came to the fore: both as a source of electoral support and financial capital to support investment. Despite the omnipresence of the phenomenon, political parties’ platforms reflect these realities to limited extent. The former ruling Communists’ party, ousted from power in 2009, has been reluctant to politically recognize critical role of migration in underpinning country’s economic growth throughout period of its rule (2001-2009). This reluctance is striking against the backdrop of extensive cooperation between the Communist government and international organization aimed at putting in place nation system of migration management. The former opposition parties, now members of ruling coalition, have been eager to highlight the shortcomings of the remittance-driven economic growth during the period of Communist rule. However, on the programmatic level they essentially focused on the same issues as the Communist party did in practice during its rule: legalization of labour migration, attracting migrants and remittances back in Moldova in order to support investment-based economic growth and working closely with the EU in order to facilitate travel of Moldovan citizens to the EU. All in all, this should facilitate policy-making process on the migration issue