Photojournalist Diana Savina

I am blessed to have spent my spring semester in the politically boiling nation between Ukraine and Romania – Moldova. Tomorrow, the republic will vote for president in direct elections for the first time since 1996.

What's so interesting about this election?

After eight years of communist rule beginning 2001, Moldova was initially described as a success story at its pro-EU path from 2009. But the country still relies heavily on Russian energy supplies and the territorial dispute over the breakaway region Transdniestria is still unresolved.

But two years ago, nearly $1 billion mysteriously disappeared from Moldova’s banks. That equals 12 percent of the poor nations GDP.

The grand corruption revealed among politicians and oligarchs sparked a political crisis that is still burning today. Since then, Moldova has had five short-lived prime ministers and massive protests have taken place in the capital Chisinau – primarily anti-corruption protests. For many, this presidential election is a choice between "for" or "against" corruption.

But the banking scandal and the grand corruption revealed also had geopolitical consequences. The crisis in the pro-European government has been a political gift for the pro-Russian Socialist Party, as it attracted disappointed voters.

As many now favors joining Russian-led Eurasian Union instead of the European Union, Moldova’s foreign minister is trying to convince the geopolitically divided voters to maintain its Westward path. But according to an EU diplomat, the division between pro-EU and pro-Russia "is superficial and is being misused by both sides".

This was just to give a glimpse. In fact, it is much more complicated.

Learn more:

http://www.reuters.com/ar…/us-moldova-election-idUSKCN12L0J0

http://foreignpolicy.com/…/moscow-looks-to-gain-in-moldova…/

The Moldovan banking wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y32W2AY6wOg

Follow RISE Moldova for great investigative journalism.

I have never ever wanted to go back to Istanbul as badly as I do right now, for the upcoming LGBTI Pride Parade planned for this weekend. It's with deep sorrow I try to accept that I cannot afford it at this moment, I've had to many expenses lately.

During Istanbul Pride 2015, police cancelled the event and attacked the crowd with tear gas, plastic bullets and water cannons, injuring scores of peaceful demonstrators. Since then, multiple LGBTI+ marches planned throughout theyear in Izmir, Ankara and Gaziantep were banned for various reasons.

A few days ago, the Trans Pride parade was organized in Istanbul and once again, the peaceful demonstrators were attacked by the law enforcement. For the upcoming LGBTI parade, I've read many different views from LGBTI friends from Istanbul on Facebook. One of them wrote to me she's not even worried "because they won't let us walk. But we will try."

I really wish I could be there and I still hope for some miracle that will make me able to go there and join you. Even if so only to be shot down with a water cannon.

At least, I contributed with photos to the photo exhibition "LGBTİ Direniş, Barış ve Onur Fotoğraf sergisi" - LGBTI Resistance, Peace and Dignity. This photo from Moldova was selected. (It's being shown with other photographers works at "Nazım Hikmet Kültür Ve Sanat Evi" in Istanbul: https://www.facebook.com/events/132000380553783/)

FARMERS JOINING FORCES FOR BETTER BUSINESS A traditional small-scale farmer in the Moldovan countryside owns only a hectare of land and is not able to compete with the big actors on the agricultural market. Buyers set the rules and small-scale farmers are forced to sell their produce at low prices for a limited period of time which makes it hard to maintain a profitable business. But what if the small-scale farmers would create a farm cooperative where the members jointly can ensure higher volumes of produce all year around and invest in equipment with food safety standards at the level required by the EU market? This transformation is ongoing within the Moldovan agricultural sector, partly as a result of the Swedish support to the World bank’s ”Agricultural Competitiveness Project”.