Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova

The Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (Romanian: Partidul Socialiștilor din Republica Moldova, PSRM) is a democratic socialist political party in Moldova.[1] A populist party,[2] it holds Eurosceptic[2] and Russophilic views,[3][4] both of which are reflected by its long-time former leader[5] Igor Dodon.[6][7][8] It is contrasted to like-minded centre-left European parties for its conservative views on social issues,[9] reflecting the country's strong social conservatism and the influence of the Moldovan Orthodox Church.[10]

"PSRM" redirects here. For the Spanish political party, see Socialist Party of the Region of Murcia.
Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova
Partidul Socialiștilor din Republica Moldova
AbbreviationPSRM
Executive SecretaryIgor Dodon
Parliamentary group leaderVlad Batrîncea
Honorary PresidentZinaida Greceanîi
FoundersVeronica Abramciuc
Eduard Smirnov
Founded29 June 1997 (1997-06-29)
Split fromSocialist Party of Moldova
HeadquartersColumna 148, Chișinău
NewspaperSocialists
Youth wingYoung Guard
Membership (2019)15,892
IdeologyDemocratic socialism
Social conservatism
Russophilia
Moldovenism
Euroscepticism
Political positionLeft-wing
National affiliationBloc of Communists and Socialists
Colours  Red
Parliament
19 / 101
District Presidents
17 / 32
Website
socialistii.md

Between 2005 and 2011, it was known as the Party of Socialists of Moldova "Motherland" (Partidul Socialiștilor din Moldova «Patria-Rodina», PSMPR). In 2021, the Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists was formed with the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova with the aim of joint participation in the 2021 Moldovan parliamentary election.[11] Due to its promotion of Moldovan language, the party has been described by the media in neighbouring Romania as "anti-Romanian".[12]

History

The PSRM was founded in 1997 by members of the Socialist Party of Moldova. The founding congress took place on 29 June 1997 in Chișinău. Veronica Abramciuc and Eduard Smirnov were elected as co-chairmen of the new party.[13]

The party obtained 0.59% of votes in 1998 Moldovan parliamentary election, failing to elect any representative. In 2001 Moldovan parliamentary election, the party formed the electoral bloc Unity with the Republican Party of Moldova; it obtained 0.46% of votes, failing to elect any representative. In 2006 elections the party formed the Electoral Bloc Motherland with the Socialist Party of Moldova; the bloc obtained 4.9% of votes and did not elect any representatives. The party did not participate in 2009 and 2010 parliamentary elections, endorsing the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM). Party chairman Veronica Abramciuc was included in PCRM list and elected to the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. In 2011, Igor Dodon, former member of the PCRM, joined the party, and was elected as its chairman on 18 December 2011.[14] Subsequently, a Socialist Group, which included Dodon, Veronica Abramciuc, and Zinaida Greceanîi, was set up in parliament.[15]

The party won the 2014 Moldovan parliamentary election with over 20% of the vote.[1] The party remained in opposition, as two centre-right, pro-EU parties managed to form a minority government (Gaburici Cabinet) with the external support of the PCRM.[16]

In the 2016 Moldovan presidential election, Dodon was elected as the new President of Moldova. Following the election, Dodon stepped down as party chairman and was replaced by Zinaida Greceanîi. After being defeated in the 2020 Moldovan presidential election, Dodon returned as the party's chairman. For the 2021 Moldovan parliamentary election, it formed an electoral alliance (Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists) with the PCRM,[17] which was defeated by the liberal, centre-right Party of Action and Solidarity.[1]

Political positions

The party describes itself as democratic socialist.[18] It holds left-wing politics on fiscal issues and more conservative views on socio-cultural issues, and has an anti-NATO, anti-European Union, and pro-Russian stance.[19][20] Party members support naming the state language Moldovan.[20] Mariana Vasilache, journalist of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company, has described the party as a promoter of Moldovenism.[21] Despite their support for Moldovan sovereignty, several party members and Members of the Parliament such as Alla Dolință, Anatolie Labuneț, Adrian Lebedinschi, Corneliu Furculița, Ghenadi Mitriuc, and Radu Mudreac have Romanian citizenship.[22]

Reflecting the country's strong social conservatism,[10] the party promotes family values and holds traditionalist views in regards to LGBT rights in Moldova, which is in contrast to left-leaning parties in Europe.[9] In 2016, the party organized the Family Festival/March to counter-protest the "Without Fear" March organized by GENDERDOC-M in Chișinău.[23] Some Moldovan and Romanian journalists also described the party as authoritarian.[24] Critics also claim that the PSRM-affiliated media promotes fake news and pro-Russian propaganda.[25][26]

In 2015, Igor Dodon stated that he wanted the PSRM to join the Socialist International.[27][28] In April 2021 the party submitted a request to join the organisation.[29]

The PSRM hold the West and Ukraine responsible for the Russo-Ukrainian War.[30][31] Some journalists also labelled the party as anti-Western.[32][33]

Members of the Executive Committee

Party leaders

Electoral results

The PSRM participated in the Moldovan parliamentary elections in 1998 and 2001 without success. In the 2005 Moldovan parliamentary election, the party contested as part of the Electoral Bloc Motherland and received 4.97% votes, which was not sufficient to enter parliament as it did not pass the electoral threshold of 6.0%. At the April–July 2009 and the 2010 parliamentary elections, it supported the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM). Its leader Veronica Abramciuc was included on the PCRM candidates list.[35]

Parliament
Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
Election Leader Performance Rank Government
Votes % ± pp Seats +/–
1998 Veronica Abramciuc
Eduard Smirnov		 9,514
0.59%
 New
0 / 101
 New 12th Extra-parliamentary (ADR: CDM-PDMP-PFD)
Extra-parliamentary (ADR: CDM–PDMP–PFD)
Extra-parliamentary (independents)
2001 7,277
0.46%
Unity Bloc
(PSRM-PRM)		 Decrease 0.13
0 / 101
 Steady 0 Decrease 15th Extra-parliamentary (PCRM)
2005 77,490
4.97%
(Motherland)		 Increase 4.51
0 / 101
 Steady 0 Increase 4th Extra-parliamentary (PCRM)
Extra-parliamentary (PCRM)
2009
(April)		 Veronica Abramciuc did not contest Extra-parliamentary (PCRM)
2009
(July)		 Extra-parliamentary (AIE: PLDM-PDM–PL–AMN)
2010 Extra-parliamentary (AIE: PLDM-PDM-PL)
Opposition (CPE: PLDM–PDM–PLR)
2014 Igor Dodon 327,912
20.51%
 Increase 20.51
25 / 101
 Increase 21 Increase 1st Opposition (APME: PLDM–PDM)
Opposition (AIE III: PLDM-PDM–PL)
Opposition (PDM–PPEM–PL)
2019 Zinaida Greceanîi 441,191
31.15%
 Increase 10.64
35 / 101
 Increase 10 Steady 1st Coalition (ACUM: (PAS–PPPDA)–PSRM)
Coalition (PSRM–PDM)
Minority government (PSRM)
2021 Igor Dodon 398,678
27.17%
(BECS)		 Decrease 3.98
22 / 101
 Decrease 13 Decrease 2nd Opposition (PAS super majority government)

Presidency
President of Moldova
Election Candidate First round Second round Result
Votes % Votes %
2001 Extra-parliamentary Lost Red XN
2005 Lost Red XN
2009
(May–June)		 No winner
2009
(November–December)		 No winner
2011–2012 Endorsed Nicolae Timofti 62[lower-alpha 1]
61.39%
 Elected Green tickY
2016 Igor Dodon 680,550
47.98%
 834,081
52.11%
 Elected Green tickY
2020 Igor Dodon 439,866
32.61%
 690,614
42.28%
 Lost Red XN
  1. President was elected by 101 members of Parliament

District and municipal councils
Year of elections No. votes % of votes No. seats
2019 291.257 27.08
326 / 1,116

Mayors
Year of elections Mayors % of votes No. seats
2019[36] 206 22.9
206 / 898

References
  1. Nordsieck, Wolfram (July 2021). "Moldova". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  2. "Parliamentary Elections". CSIS. Center for Strategic and International Studies. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  3. "Moldova: Protesters demand chance to oust pro-Russia parliament". Deutsche Welle. 6 December 2020.
  4. Locoman, Ecaterina (3 April 2021). "Moldova wants to be more European and less corrupt. Parliament isn't helping". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  5. Socor, Vladimir (2 July 2020). "Igor Dodon, Moldova's Strawman Dictator (Part One)". Jamestown. Jamestown Foundation. Moldova's russophile head of state, Igor Dodon, has been driven onto the defensive, along with his Socialist Party and the Socialist-led government, by their political opponents on several fronts. Opposition forces, acting separately for the time being and from different motivations (pro-Western, 'oligarchic,' pro-Romania) seek to remove Dodon and his government from office before presidential and parliamentary elections are held.
  6. "Moldovans vote for president, pro-EU or pro-Russia visions". AP News. Associated Press. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  7. Rosenberg, Steve (16 November 2020). "Moldova election: Pro-EU candidate Maia Sandu wins presidency". BBC. BBC News. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  8. "Moldova's pro-Russian prime minister resigns after protests". Al Jazeera. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  9. Socor, Vladimir (2 July 2020). "Igor Dodon, Moldova's Strawman Dictator (Part Two)". Jamestown. Jamestown Foundation. The Socialist Party is a clear liability to President Dodon on the international stage. Notwithstanding his party's mass social base and high electoral scores, which most European Socialists today could only envy, the Moldovan party is completely isolated from Europe's Socialist parties. The reason behind this is the Moldovan Socialists' embrace of conservative-sounding tenets on religious and gender issues, synchronized with the 'conservative' values mimicked by Russia's current authorities. Since Europe's Socialist parties have moved in the opposite direction on that agenda, they keep Moldova's Socialist Party at arm's length. Nor can Dodon's party communicate with Russia-friendly European parties of the right, because those would abhor the Moldovan party's Red trappings.
  10. Nescutu, Madalin (23 January 2018). "Moldova to Host Global Christian Right-Wing Congress". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  11. "Ultima oră! CEC a înregistrat blocul electoral al PCRM și PSRM" (in Romanian). 13 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  12. Căpitănescu, Florentin (27 December 2016). "Igor Dodon's anti-Romanian policy". Radio Romania International. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  13. "Partidul Socialiştilor din Republica Moldova (PSRM) / partide.md". Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  14. Infoprut.ro
  15. ""Ãðóïïà Äîäîíà" ñîçäàëà â ïàðëàìåíòå Ìîëäàâèè ôðàêöèþ ñîöèàëèñòîâ". ÈÀ REGNUM. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  16. Timuş, Natalia (23 March 2015). "A democratic and European stern test for Moldovan political elite". Party Systems and Governments Observatory. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  17. "Two parties, one electoral bloc winning seats in Moldovan parliament - CEC". TASS. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  18. "Programul PSRM" (in Romanian).
  19. Socor, Vladimir. "Russia's New Moldovan Favorite: Igor Dodon's Socialist Party". Jamestown. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  20. "PSRM: "Patria noastră este Moldova. Limba noastră este moldovenească "". Timpul.md. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  21. "DEZINFORMARE: Republica Moldova este stat succesor al Moldovei lui Ştefan cel Mare". www.veridica.ro (in Romanian). 12 February 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  22. "DOC: Deputaţii PSRM cu paşaport românesc, care acum jumătate de an spuneau că au depus cereri să li se retragă cetăţenia română, au MINŢIT". Jurnal.md. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  23. Vlas, Cristi (22 May 2016). "LGBT solidarity march in Moldova stopped due to fear of clashes with orthodox counter protesters". Moldova.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  24. "PSRM – lider autoritar, PDM – outsider clar". 10 February 2020.
  25. "DEZINFORMARE: Maia Sandu încearcă să uzurpeze puterea în Republica Moldova". 19 April 2021.
  26. https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/FotP_Moldova-2021_Ro.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjwsq3M2672AhUXvosKHZBRCx44ChAWegQIChAB&usg=AOvVaw1lHLFLDiB3T8skuSt8hKsY
  27. Greadcenco, Oxana (4 July 2014). "PSRM își croiește calea coruptă spre internaționala socialistă dictată de ruși/ FOTO".
  28. "PSRM speră să devină membru deplin al Internaţionalei Socialiste". noi.md.
  29. "PSRM a depus documentele pentru aderarea la Internaționala Socialistă".
  30. "Tensiuni Rusia-Ucraina. PSRM sugerează că vina o poartă Occidentul".
  31. "Partidul lui Dodon, despre tensiunile ruso-ucrainene: Am văzut armament european şi american. Va veni vremea când se va afla cine au atras Ucraina şi Rusia în cea mai serioasă criză". 23 February 2022.
  32. "Cine ar putea deveni noul pion la Rusiei la Chișinău, după retragerea lui Igor Dodon". 18 October 2021.
  33. "Liderul PSRM Igor Dodon a avut o întrevedere cu ambasadorul SUA, Dereck J. Hogan". 27 April 2021 – via moldova.europalibera.org.
  34. "Funcţia de preşedinte al PSRM a fost desfiinţată. Igor Dodon rămâne de onoare". adevarul.ro. 19 December 2021.
  35. "Election News from February 11, 2009 / Elections 2009". Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  36. "alegeri.md - Alegeri în Republica Moldova", Alegeri.md/w/pagina_principal%c4%83, retrieved 29 October 2019
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