Velikaya N.M., Tatarov R.A. Eternal Allies and Non-Permanent Interests: Pendulum of New Populism in Republic of Moldova. Contemporary Europe. 2021. No. 4(104). Pp. 140-150. DOI 10.15211 ...

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Abstract

The article outlines the main populist political parties of the Republic of Moldova, the main reasons for their appearance and socio-political factors that determined the content of the populist discourse in the post-Soviet period. Firstly, the phenomenon of new populism in Moldova arises from the high involvement of external players in its internal political life, who often associate themselves with the Moldovan political forces, acting as their constant allies. Secondly, the political forces of Moldova are characterized by impermanence of interests, which under the influence of external forces are able to transform, sometimes taking cardinal forms. Considering populist rhetoric and technologies as the main resource of political actors in conditions of uncertainty, the authors assess parties on both the right and left sides of the political spectrum. It is highlighted that the dominant themes of populist discourse in modern Moldova are the following: the opposition of the European integration model to the alternative movement for closer cooperation with Russia, the traditional left-wing opposition to liberal constructs in the economic sphere, and the problem of corruption. It is concluded that populist rhetoric may expand in the coming years and that a number of populist parties will consolidate on both the left and right flanks of the political spectrum. Populist rhetoric is presented in one way or another in almost all political parties, but the real populist forces will not enter the political establishment and will remain non-majoritarian.