Democratic Federalism
Amidst the tension related to the Chisinau mayoral election, another important movement is taking place behind the scenes. Germany and Russia are trying to organise a solution to the Transnistrian conflict.According to Vlad Socor, what they are proposing is a re-run of the Kozak memorandum. Moldova would have a bi-cameral parliament, the upper chamber of which could be used by Russia (through their Transnistrian and Gagauz proxies) to block any legislation they didn't like and to slow, if not stop Moldova's process of integration into the European Union. Transnistria would also have the right to secede should Moldova lose its statehood (i.e. reunify with Romania), and Russia's illegally disposed troops would be legitimised.
Let's be clear. The problem is not with federalism, which works well for Germany, Canada, Australia and even small countries like Switzerland. The problem is the wierd and wacky form of federalism that Russia is trying to force on Moldova (and which Germany doesn't seem to fully understand). My challenge to the Russians would be to implement this form of government in Russia first and see if it works:
- Allow Russian oblasts to secede if they see a threat to Russian statehood or democracy (bye-bye Kaliningrad, the North Caucasus and the Far East)
- Give Chechnya a veto over all decisions taken by the Duma or the Federation Council
- Let Turkey protect muslims in the North Caucasus by stationing its troops there.
- The legitimate rights of minorities (e.g. to their own language and culture) would be respected.
- The legitimate right of the majority to rule their own country would also be respected.
- Moldova's neutrality would be de facto as well as de jure.
- Each region would have sufficient voting power to promote its interests.
- No region would have a veto in its own right.
- The right of secession would be available in the event of Moldova losing statehood.
How would you build a federation based on these principles?
- The state should have multiple provinces, not just three (Transnistria, Gagauzia and the Rest). As far as possible the populations of each province should be roughly equal, and there should be a geographical or cultural reason for the grouping. Maybe a return to the old counties would be the way to go?
- Moldova should retain its unicameral system for reasons of cost and simplicity. Each county should have three seats plus one seat for every 50,000 of population. Gagauzia (popn 187,000) would get 7, Transnistria (popn 500,000) would get 13 while Chisinau (popn 700,000) would get 17.
- Half the seats in each county would be electorate-based, with the other half coming from party lists to ensure proportionality (i.e. German style MMP).
- As well as being its representatives in the national parliament, a county's deputies would also form the ruling council for the county.
- Motions would normally be passed by a simple majority of members, however any motion which is not supported by a majority of the deputies from at least half of the counties would be vetoed.
- Russian troops would be obliged to leave Transnistria, in recognition of the fact that the population of Transnistria is under no threat, and in accordance with Moldova's constitutional neutrality.
- Counties would have the right to secede if and only if Moldova loses statehood or falls into dictatorship.
- Moldova would have a single national language (Romanian), but each county could choose a second official language. Many counties would choose Russian, but some could go with Ukrainian and Gagauzia should of course promote its own language.
Sursa
2011-06-06 23:37:00