Government and society

Constitutional framework

A new constitution, which replaced the 1978 document that had provided for a Soviet-style government structure, was approved by the Moldovan parliament in July 1994 and promulgated on August 27 of that year. Describing the republic as a “sovereign, independent” state in which “justice and political pluralism” are guaranteed, this constitution formally established a unicameral parliament whose members are directly elected to four-year terms. By secret ballot they elect the president, who serves as the head of state, to a four-year term. The president shares executive power with the Council of Ministers (cabinet), which is led by the prime minister, who is designated by the president (after consultation with the parliamentary majority) and approved by the parliament. The council is responsible for implementing the domestic and foreign policy of the state.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Gagauz in the south and Russians east of the Dniester River declared their own independent republics. The Moldovan government addressed the desires of the Gagauz in January 1995 by establishing an autonomous administrative region known as Găgăuzia. Its capital is in Comrat, where a governor (bașkan), an executive committee, and a legislature sit (foreign policy, defense, and monetary issues in Găgăuzia are still under the control of the Moldovan government). Neither the Moldovan government nor the international community has recognized the independent republic of Transdniestria (Pridnestrovie; Transnistria), whose name is derived from its location beyond (on the eastern side of) the Dniester River. Under Transdniestria’s constitution its president also serves as prime minister, and there is a unicameral legislature. The self-proclaimed republic also has its own flag and anthem. In response to the region’s aspirations, the 1994 Moldovan constitution had authorized “special status” for the semiautonomous territory of Transdniestria, as it had for Găgăuzia. This offer was rejected by Transdniestria’s government, and an overwhelming majority of Transdniestrian residents voted for independence in a 2006 referendum (though the subsequent declaration of independence was not recognized elsewhere). Russia maintained a force of some 1,500 troops in Transdniestria.

Local government

Following Soviet rule, Moldova was reorganized into județ (counties), the municipality of Chișinău, and the autonomous region of Găgăuzia. In 2003 the country was restructured again, with previous divisions replaced by raione (districts), municipii (municipalities; including Chișinău), and Găgăuzia. At a more local level, Moldova is administered by elected town and village councils and mayors; their activities are coordinated by district councils, which also are elected.

Justice

The judicial system comprises the Supreme Court of Justice (with members appointed by the parliament), a Court of Appeal, and lower courts (whose members are appointed by the president). The Higher Magistrates’ Council nominates judges and oversees their transfer and promotion.

Political process

The Communist Party of Moldavia—until 1990 the only legal party—was dissolved in 1991 but was legalized as the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (Partidul Comuniștilor din Republica Moldova; PCRM) in 1994. Following independence a variety of political parties emerged, many of them later to divide or to merge with other parties or coalitions. Some of these parties are based on ethnicity (including the Gagauz People’s Party) and advocacy of independence or unification with either Romania or Russia. A national referendum on Moldova’s status as an independent country was held on March 6, 1994, with a large turnout of eligible voters. More than 95 percent voted in favour of continued independence. Moldovans aged 18 or older are eligible to vote in elections. In elections in the 1990s and early 2000s, about three-fifths of eligible voters cast ballots.

Health and welfare

Since the mid-1990s the quality and availability of health care in Moldova have improved. In 1991 the Moldovan government established social service programs to supplement the monthly income of the average citizen during the transition from a command to a market economy. These programs were designed to preserve and strengthen the social safety net put in place during the Soviet period. The Social Assistance Fund supplies the needy with medical payments and housing and food subsidies. The Social Security Fund provides pensions for workers, invalids, and soldiers, assists workers during illness or temporary disability, and aids the unemployed.

Education

Significant changes occurred in Moldovan society during the Soviet era. Illiteracy was eradicated, and, as in other Soviet republics, emphasis was placed on technical education in order to satisfy the steadily growing needs of agriculture and industry for specialists and a highly skilled workforce. Before 1940 the republic had only a few institutions of higher education and teacher-training colleges, as well as a theological seminary and an agricultural institute. Since then several institutions of higher education and numerous specialized middle schools have been established. Notable universities include the Moldovan State Agrarian University (founded in 1933 as an offshoot of the agriculture department of the University of Iași), the Moldova State University (1946), and the Technical University of Moldova (1964). They all provide instruction in Romanian and Russian, and since the early 1990s the Moldovan language has increasingly been introduced into the educational system. A vigorous program of Moldovan instruction in primary and secondary schools was implemented in 2000.

The Moldova Academy of Sciences, established in Chișinău in 1946, coordinates the activities of scientific institutions. In addition, dozens of research centres in the fields of viticulture, horticulture, beet growing, grain cultivation, and wine making have been set up, and Moldovan scientists have won international acclaim in these fields.

Cultural milieu

The historical ties between Bessarabia and Romania and the ethnic kinship of Moldovans and Romanians are still reflected in the culture of Moldova. The development of Moldovan culture after World War II, however, followed the prevailing pattern of the Soviet Union as a whole. The state assumed responsibility for the content and direction of all cultural and intellectual life. The theatre, motion pictures, television, and printed matter were subject to censorship and close ideological scrutiny. Until the waning days of Soviet influence, private initiative in cultural endeavours was rare.

Daily life and social customs

As a mainly Eastern Orthodox country, Moldova celebrates Christian holidays. Its various ethnic groups tend to follow the customs and eat the foods of their own nationality. Moldova’s Independence Day, August 27, commemorates the country’s breakaway from the Soviet Union (an event that is not celebrated in Transdniestria, which has retained many Soviet holidays and symbols of Soviet life). Moldovans observe a calendar of planting and harvest fairs that feature traditional dancing, singing, and folk arts. The village of Ivancho, near Chișinău, is a centre for these traditional cultural activities, as is the Orheiul Vechi, a restored monastery near the capital. Chișinău remains a musical centre, boasting dozens of nightclubs, discotheques, and concert halls.

The arts

Notable Moldovan artists include painters Mihail Petrik, Valentin Coreachin, and Vitaly Tiseev and sculptors Iury Kanashin and Vladimir Moraru. Moldova was known in the Soviet era for the quality of its musical instruction, with many Russian composers and conductors serving on the faculty of Chișinău’s Academy of Music. One of the academy’s graduates is the internationally known composer Arkady Luxemburg. Moldovans have also embraced contemporary styles such as rock, pop, and hip-hop, and Moldova has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2005.

Moldovan literature experienced the vicissitudes of Soviet literature generally during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Building socialism and creating the new Soviet citizen were the dominant themes, and socialist goals prevailed over aesthetic considerations. Characteristic of these trends were the early prose and poetry of Emilian Bucov and Andrei Lupan, who followed the principles of Socialist Realism; later they and younger writers diversified their techniques and subject matter. Perhaps the most outstanding modern writer is the dramatist and novelist Ion Druța. His novel Balade de câmpie (1963; “Ballads of the Steppes”), an investigation of the psychology of the village, marked a significant turning point in the evolution of Moldovan fiction, and his play Casa Mare (1962; “The Parlour”) turned away from the concept of collectivity to probe the individual conscience. The work of contemporary essayist and novelist Vitalie Ciobanu is well known in Moldova.

Cultural institutions

Most of the country’s theatres, museums, music halls, and libraries are in Chișinău. The most significant museums are the National Museum of Fine Arts of Moldova and the National History Museum of Moldova. During the period of Soviet rule, the state gave particular attention to the expansion of cultural opportunities. Numerous amateur theatres and musical and art groups were supported. The state also attempted to preserve the rich heritage of Moldovan folk art and music through such ensembles as the Doina choir and Zhok popular ballet and through local and national museums. Economic changes and urbanization, however, undermined traditional society and curtailed artistic creativity. Moreover, the economic deprivations and hardships since independence have left the average Moldovan little time for cultural interests, and the national budget deficits have left few governmental resources with which to subsidize cultural activities. In 2015 Moldova joined Creative Europe, an EU program designed to support the efforts of creative and cultural organizations with increased access to funding, training, and networking opportunities.

Sports and recreation

Moldovans are avid football (soccer) fans. Games are played throughout the country by organized local teams that compete each year for the national Moldovan Cup. Wrestling has become significant, made popular by Moldovan world champion Lukman Jabrailov. Judo, archery, and athletics (track and field) are also popular. Other favourite sports are rugby, tennis, martial arts, cycling, boxing, volleyball, and canoeing. Chess is a common pastime.

In past years ethnic Moldovans have competed on the Olympic teams of both the Soviet Union and Romania. At the 1992 Games in Barcelona, the country participated as part of the Unified Team. Moldova competed for the first time as an independent country at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Because Moldova lacks both mountains and a seashore, many recreational opportunities are limited.

Media and publishing

The 1994 Moldovan constitution protects freedom of expression in the press; nevertheless, Moldovan media have received widespread criticism for being overly influenced by the government, and there have been occasional incidents of politically motivated prosecution of journalists. There has been concern that Chișinău-based publications that question Moldova’s independence or promote Transdniestria’s separatist policies will be subject to censorship.

The initial outpouring of publications at the time of independence has been considerably reduced in the years since, largely as a result of economic pressures. Most publications that started as dailies have cut back production schedules. Notable existing dailies, all published in Chișinău, are the government organ Moldova Suverenă (“Sovereign Moldova”), Nezavisimaya Moldova (“Independent Moldova”), and the Romanian-language Flux. The national news agency, known by its acronym Moldpres, is the country’s official news service. All broadcasting activities have been consolidated under the State Radio and Television Company of Moldova, which was founded in 1994.