World Congress of Moldovans to address sovereignty, emigration and national identity
An initiative to hold the first World Congress of Moldovans in spring 2027 has been presented at a press conference in Chișinău. The organisers have registered a public association named Congresul Mondial al Moldovenilor (CMM) with the Public Services Agency and established an organising committee to prepare the event.
Journalist and political commentator Dmitry Chubashenko, writing on his Facebook page, welcomed the initiative and identified three questions he believes should be addressed before the congress: Moldovan identity, emigration and the role of the diaspora.
The organisers have stated that the congress is not intended as a party-political project. Chubashenko argued that its agenda nevertheless touches on fundamental political questions concerning the past and future of Moldova, its independence and the preservation of national identity.
He drew attention to Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, which establishes the people as the source of national sovereignty. Against this background, he questioned what continuing emigration could mean for a country whose population is central to its statehood.
Chubashenko also criticised what he described as the rejection of Moldovan identity by sections of the political and cultural elite. Referring to the 2024 census, he argued that the population’s understanding of its national identity remained at odds with the positions promoted by those elites.
Diaspora’s role in Moldova’s future questioned
A further issue raised by Chubashenko concerns Moldovans living abroad. He questioned whether their relationship with their country of origin should extend beyond participation in elections and how they might contribute to its long-term development.
The commentator also asked why so many Moldovans choose not to return home, presenting emigration as a challenge not only to the economy but also to the country’s future as an independent state.
Chubashenko believes the months preceding the congress should be used to develop answers to these questions. He argued that the proposed gathering offers an opportunity for a broader discussion about Moldovan statehood and identity, involving citizens at home and abroad regardless of their political preferences.
