Moldova

Moldova gained its independence when the Soviet Union collapsed 1991. The country is one of Europe poorest states. The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation started its cooperation with Partidul Liberal Democrat Din Moldova (Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova), in 2011.

Population: 4.3 million
Area: 33,851 km2
GDP (PPP): 5,81 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 2,500 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 6,9 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state: Acting President Mihai Ghimpu
Head of government: Vladimir Filat

Moldova gained its independence when the Soviet Union collapsed 1991. The first years following independence were marked by economic in-stability, 1991-94 the country had an average inflation of 475 percent. During this time only limited reforms were initiated, this combined with a high inflation rate and lack of foreign investments in the country resulted in Moldova developing into one of Europe’s poorest countries.

2001 Moldova became the first former Soviet state to choose a Communist leader Vladimir Voronin as president. Voronin led the country until 2009 when he resigned, after losing the elections to the opposition coalition Alliance for European Integration. The Hjalmarson Foundation’s cooperation partner, the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova, is included in this alliance.
While Moldova has maintained a reasonably functioning democracy, the parliamentary system is unstable. To choose a president requires a qualified majority, which hasresulted in repeated elections. In 2009 and 2010, three general elections and four votes in parliament failed to elect a new president. The last election was held in late November, 2010. Also at that time the Alliance for European Integration won but failed to get the 61 (of 101) mandates that are required to select a president.

Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation started cooperation with Partidul Liberal Democrat Din Moldova (Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova), in 2011.