Voronin - the most equal man in Moldova

Communism for the people, but not for me

In the upcoming Moldovan parliamentary elections this Sunday, the Communist Party of Moldova (PCRM) is hoping to woo voters with typical communist ideas of social equality and fairness. As Moldova is Europe's poorest country with one of its highest income inequalities, these slogans are obviously popular. Yet looking at the leader of the Communist Party and his wealth, one cannot but conclude that Moldovan communism is simply deceiving voters with hypocritical populism.

Take Vladimir Voronin, the head of the party and President from 2001 until 2009. Having no wealth to speak of when he assumed office, he is now one of the richest people in the country. During his term in office, he wasted no time misappropriating state property and distributing spoils of office to his allies. In an obvious case of nepotism and corruption, he used his son Oleg Voronin to acquire over 2 hectares of land in the suburb of Chisinau for a price ten times lower than the market value. The area is now home to dozens of luxurious residences, belonging to the members of Voronin's family. If that was not enough, in 2008 he leased a whopping 700 hectares of forest in Tiganca for 50 years, where he erected the so-called Voronin's Manor. The extent of Voronin's wealth became public when his son's bank statements leaked into press in 2009, revealing that he had spent $8 million in 16 months during his trips abroad.

Apart from being present in almost all spheres of Moldova's economy, the Voronin Family has invested in property in various EU countries. It has recently emerged that after years of staying in fancy spa resorts in Karlovy Vary, Vladimir Voronin has finally bought a proper home in his favourite holiday spot. Most Moldovans will never see it, of course, due to lack of adequate flight connections in the impoverished country. Voronin, however, does not need to sleep on an airport bench - he can use his private Learjet 35 to take him there.

It seems, therefore, that for Moldovan Communists being elected is not only a political opportunity to represent the people. It may well be the easiest means to enrichment as well.