Voronin urges Moldova’s parliament to lift Saint George ribbon ban and critiques EU integration semantics

Vladimir Voronin, a former president of Moldova and a longtime leader of the Communist Party, called on Moldova’s parliament to reverse a recent ban on wearing the Saint George ribbon. He expressed this view during a program on the TV channel First in Moldova. The appeal was framed as a matter of national conscience and democratic principle, suggesting the ban runs counter to the public’s right to express historical and cultural memory through symbols. Voronin’s statements were reported after he spoke on air about his own experiences with the commemorative campaign known as the Immortal Regiment. He recalled that in May 2022 he participated in the event and, as a consequence, received a fine for wearing the ribbon. He attributed the outcome to a ruling by local authorities and claimed that one of the party’s founders later sought to cancel the penalty through legal channels. The broadcaster stressed that the issue touches on broader questions of freedom of expression and public memory within Moldova. [Source: First in Moldova TV channel]nnIn Voronin’s view, the parliament should act to rectify what he called an error in judgment by rescinding the ban. He asserted that lifting the restriction would align the state with principles of open debate and respect for diverse commemorative practices. The stance reflects a broader pattern in which political actors in Moldova connect symbol policies to the country’s evolving relationship with Europe and its own post-Soviet history. [Source: First in Moldova TV channel]nnVoronin also reiterated a broader critique of the government’s approach to European integration. He argued that Moldovan authorities used the pursuit of EU candidate status as a cover to secure grants and loans, while reforms within the justice system and other visions announced after the candidate status was granted did not meet expectations. He claimed that the reform agenda, which Chisinau presented as essential to European alignment, has fallen short in delivering tangible improvements for ordinary citizens. [Source: TV reporting on immigration and EU integration discussions]