An abortive attempt to ban totalitarian symbols in Moldova has exposed the machinations of the dominant pro-Russian Socialist Party ahead of a presidential election in November, experts say.

Submitted on June 11 by a group of Socialist MPs, the draft bill banning the use of symbols associated with totalitarianism was withdrawn two weeks later, apparently after the party realised it might have to scrap its own logo, a red-and-white star.

More than simply ironic, experts say the episode exposed the extent to which the country’s political elite exploits splits within Moldovan society between those who hanker for the days of the Soviet Union and those who see their future as part of the European mainstream.

The bill, targeting primarily fascist symbols, would have also spelled trouble for the Socialist Party’s rivals in the pro-Russian camp, the Community Party of former president Vladimir Voronin. The Communists continue to use among its symbols the hammer and sickle.