Unlike previous “waves of protest,” fewer high-ranking officials have been seen in the thick of these protests so far. Farmers in the south of the country claim that they invited a local MP, a native of the region, to join the protest, but he did not respond—he couldn’t find the time. That said, he’s within his rights—Moldova has no official procedure for voters to recall their elected representatives.
Ministers are a different matter. But even in their case, sudden resignations are unlikely. However, members of the Cabinet would be wise not to ignore the farmers’ “disrespectful behavior” this time—that would be a sign of weakness. It’s necessary to attend the meeting already announced by the farmers (at the very least, with the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture), but only if the heads of the ministries have something to say or add.
Room for Maneuver
Farmers want the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) Lyudmila Katlabuga, farmers want a public renunciation of the VAT increase on agricultural products (even if only temporary—for six months, during which farmers and the government can agree on a mutually acceptable compromise).
Incidentally, this is a convenient opportunity for the head of MAIA to make a concession. Since one minister (the Minister of Health) has already done so, which—in the eyes of the concerned public—is a clear plus for her reputation. Well, there are certainly more farmers tilling the land and consumers eating their produce.
However, the time and space for dialogue between farmers and the highest authorities are currently being occupied (in areas where protesters have gathered) by humble police officers. There are many of them—eyewitnesses claim there are “no fewer than the farmers and their machinery combined.” They are not (yet) touching the farmers, but in certain regions (Orhei is mentioned, at the very least) they are recording the personal information of protest participants—from their ID cards.
Orhei is, in principle, a symbolic place where interesting developments tend to emerge. It’s unlikely that anyone in Moldova would be surprised if, after the protests, the farmers receive “letters of joy” with fines.
And against this “backdrop,” a visit to the minister could take on a whole new dimension.
On the other hand, it is currently difficult to determine where the “position of strength” lies. Logos Press reported that the main demands of the Forta Fermierilor Association of Grain and Oilseed Producers were effectively supported and even expanded upon by the Agrocereale Association of Grain Exporters and the Moldova Fruct Association.
There is no doubt that other agricultural producer associations will join the protest movement calling for “maintaining the reduced VAT rate.” So, strange as it may seem, raising the VAT rate in the agri-food sector to the base rate of 20%—which previously seemed like a done deal—is no longer so certain.
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