Moldova's prime minister called the president's claims of pro-EU corruption "populist" and out of touch with reality. The two leaders are at odds over whether to ally with Brussels or with Moscow.
Image: DW/C. Grigorita
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Moldova's pro-European Union Prime Minister Pavel Filip has hit back at comments from the country's president blaming the bloc for the excessive corruption in his country.
In comments to DW on Wednesday, Filip called President Igor Dodon's allegations "populist and unrelated to the reality on the ground."
In an interview with German daily "Die Welt," Dodon had accused Brussels of channeling money to pro-EU politicians in the ex-Soviet nation of 3.5 million inhabitants. The pro-Russian head of state said that the EU had given Moldova some 782 million euros ($835 million) between 2007 and 2015, and that much of it had disappeared into lawmakers' pockets.
"At least one half of that was lost through murky channels. Corrupt members of various, supposedly pro-EU governments in my country have stolen it," Dodon told the newspaper.
"How should German citizens feel, living in their simple apartments, when their tax money goes to corrupt politicians in the Republic of Moldova, who then use it to buy castles in Germany?" he added.
PM: Moldova committed to transparency
Prime Minister Filip, however, hit back at Dodon's statements, stressing the " respect and appreciation we, Moldovans, have as regards each euro that the European Union is investing in, or helping via assistance, the Republic of Moldova."
Filip told DW that "Moldova is respectful towards the German taxpayer, and my government is committed to all transparency criteria as regards the use of EU money in Moldova. Dodon's comments are populist and unrelated to the reality on the ground."
The two politicians are at odds over what kind of alliance would better serve their nation, one of the poorest in eastern Europe. Filip has tended to pivot West, which Dodon has described as a "big mistake."
Moldova: A country without parents
Twenty-five years after independence, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries of the ex-Soviet republics. Better money abroad has caused tens of thousands of parents to leave Moldova — and their children — behind.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
Left behind
Tanya moved to Italy five years ago where she works as a caregiver for the elderly and earns about 850 euros ($960) a month. But her three daughters — Karolina, Sabrina and Olga — were left behind in Moldova. They were 8, 9 and 12 years old, respectively, when she left.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
On the phone with mom
The girls initially lived alone at first, even though the oldest was only 12 years old. After a time, they began living with various people, to whom their mother regularly sent money.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
Meals apart
Now the eldest daughter, Olga, is finishing high school in Chisinau, while Sabrina and Karolina have joined their mother in Italy.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
Help from the grandmother
For the past seven years, Katalina's parents have barely been home. Her parents found jobs in Moscow and later moved to Italy after receiving work visas. Katalina's grandmother lived in a different village, but she eventually moved in with Katalina and her brother, Victor, to look after them.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
Reunited at last
Ottilia was barely a year old when her parents left Moldova. Her mother and father paid 4,000 euros each to get into Italy without proper documents. The girl didn't see them for five years and lived with her grandmother, who she called "mom." A year ago, Ottilia's parents managed to get a residence permit in Italy and brought their daughter to live with them.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
Hard work
Lilia moved to the West with her husband eight years ago. The couple had to work hard to repay the debt they took on to pay for the illegal border-crossing. Their daughters Nadia and Alina were 9 and 6 at the time.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
Parcels from abroad
Lilia sent parcels to her children three times a month. The family is reunited now, but it has come at a high price — the "visas" for the children cost 1,500 euros each.
Image: Andrea Diefenbach/Kehrer-Verlag
Childhood without parents
German photographer Andrea Diefenbach tells the story of Moldovan children in her book "Country without parents," published in German by Kehrer-Verlag.
