Presidency of the Republic of Moldova
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests,
Dear friends of Moldova,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Chisinau and to be part of the XIX Congress of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts.
We live in troubled times. Democracy is under threat in many places, experiencing erosion through disinformation, fake news, and societal polarization. There are more and more attempts to create fault lines and turn groups against each other.
Democracy is being challenged from within democratic countries by political forces and sometimes corrupt groups, as in the case of Moldova, with agendas that have nothing to do with democracy.
It is also being challenged by foreign actors seeking to exploit every vulnerability in our systems to advance authoritarian, imperialistic, and belligerent agendas.
Unfortunately, Moldova knows all too well about these attempts of destabilization, with domestic and foreign actors working in tandem to suppress the democratic voice of the people and hinder our European integration agenda.
Most importantly, here in Moldova, you are as close to the Ukrainian war as possible. This illegal war challenges our fundamental values and forces us to think more carefully about peace, prosperity, and democracy in Europe.
The situation looks bleak now, but this does not have to be the full story. We, as people who believe in democracy, should show the same determination in defending our values as the authoritarian forces show in undermining them.
We should not get bogged down by the systematic attempts to poison societies and cause the death of democracy by a thousand authoritarian cuts.
We must invest in democratic resilience and build the tools to allow our democracies to survive and thrive. We should work together to fight foreign malign influence and interference.
We should become more efficient in fighting corruption in all sectors, including in the justice system, which is often used by authoritarian regimes to undermine our states and democracies. We should become more efficient and quick in our responses to the actions meant to destroy our democratic processes and institutions.
This is what we are doing in Moldova, with our quest to join not only the single European market but also the common space of values that has democracy at its core – the European Union.
We aim to do this in the most democratic way, by giving people a voice in the referendum for European integration that we are organizing in October.
We must tell the people the bigger story—to bring together the discourse (and actions) about peace, prosperity, and democracy. There is not enough space in this room to store all the books that highlight how crucial democracy and the rule of law are for peace and prosperity.
Democratic countries do not fight with each other. Inclusive political institutions are essential for economic prosperity. Institutions free of corruption are strong institutions. In a world where facts are often caricatured or ignored, we should stick to the facts and build coalitions in support of our liberal democratic goals and commitments.
This is why I welcome such a robust and distinguished presence in Moldova. Constitutional judges know firsthand how important it is to preserve and defend democracy.
During these times, we need vocal advocates for democracy, and you play at least two important roles. First, you are a key component of any liberal democracy.
Our democratic systems are based not only on free and fair elections but also on the protection of people’s rights and liberties. Your role to always uphold what is right is a barrier against the surge of populism.
Second, you are a source of inspiration and strength for all committed to democracy in Europe.
Democracy needs not only committed people but also strong alliances among these positive forces across the European space. It is an honor to also see here the President of the Venice Commission and the President of the European Court of Human Rights.
Your contribution to the diffusion of democratic norms in Europe is essential, and your work in consolidating the rule of law cannot be understated.
I wish you fruitful debates in Chisinau, in line with the responsibilities you have in ensuring that democratic principles continue to guide political action in Europe and beyond. We thank you for your work and, here in Moldova, we are happy to be part of the same community of democratic believers and democratic builders. Thank you.
