In Moldova, farmers’ protests have moved to the capital. Today, 19 September, farmers left their tractors on national roads and gathered in front of the parliament and presidential administration buildings in the centre of Chisinau.
They are demanding a revision of the new law on support for agricultural producers and increased financial aid. The protesters believe that the draft law on emergency agriculture will not solve their problems. They claim that only 20% of farmers who suffered from the bad weather will be given aid, and even then not all of them.
“Agriculture has been ruined. There is no proper support from the authorities, no subsidies. Farmers were given pennies, which only bought a couple of bags of manure.” – said those gathered.
Agricultural producers request meeting with the head of state maya sanduPresident of Parliament Igor GrošuPrime minister Dorin Recan and the director of the National Bank Ancoy Dragu. The day before, farmers were invited to negotiations at the Ministry of Agriculture, but they refused the invitation. They say they do not trust the Minister of Agriculture. Vladimir Boléwho claims to have asked the European Union for help for the industry. Even if a decision is taken on aid, which farmers sincerely doubt, it will arrive, at best, in 2025 or even 2026.
The protesting farmers were not allowed to enter the parliament. The carabinieri guarding the building announced that they would only allow access to two representatives of the protesters, who had previously unsuccessfully called Maia Sandu for talks with the presidency. Igor Grosu did not come to them either.
According to the participants, in order to effectively draw the attention of the authorities to the problems of the industry, their actions will have to be carried out directly during the election campaign (the presidential elections will be held in Moldova on October 20).
This week, agricultural producers in many regions of Moldova protested their dissatisfaction with the measures taken by the government and parliament. The association Forța Fermierilor (Power of Farmers) stated that the government’s actions “although intended to benefit farmers, do not solve even a quarter of the serious problems facing the country’s agricultural sector.” In addition, the state is deliberately bankrupting small farms.
