Moldova: Sandu hails 'victory for country' after elections
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has hailed the country's recent parliamentary election result, stating it is "not a victory for one party or one group of voters," but "a victory for the country, and we must use it for the good of all citizens."
Speaking on Monday, September 29, following the announcement of preliminary results from Sunday's poll, the President of the Republic of Moldova thanked citizens for the high turnout. She emphasised that the vote provided a strong mandate for the continuation of Moldova's European course.
Ms Sandu stressed that every single vote counted, whether cast in small villages, large cities, or by the diaspora. She acknowledged the dedication of those who worked on election day yet made time to vote, as well as the sacrifice of those who travelled hundreds or thousands of kilometres to reach the polls.
"We have shown the whole world that we are courageous and dignified. We refused to be bought, intimidated, or scared," she stated, adding: "We demonstrated responsibility both at home and among the diaspora. Those who spent the entire day yesterday harvesting grapes in the fields, and those for whom the polling station was hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away, all found the time to reach the ballot box and helped their country through their vote."
The President highlighted that citizens' unity protected Moldova against external attempts at interference and must remain strong during the state’s development efforts.
"We have shown that we know how to be united when the future of our country is in danger... Our unity will protect us in these difficult times and help us implement the country's development programmes faster and better," Ms Sandu said. She added that the Republic of Moldova is "our shared home" and that its citizens want the same thing: "to live in peace, in freedom, and to ensure a good future for our children here, in safety."
The vote, she noted, represents a strong mandate for the country's European Union accession process.
Focus on Kremlin and justice reform
President Sandu accused the Kremlin of attempting to destabilise the situation in Moldova and undermine the trust in institutions, but praised their resilience. She specifically highlighted the role of the Central Electoral Commission, the National Police, the Information and Security Service, and cybersecurity experts.
"The media was crucial in uncovering several Kremlin-backed schemes directed against Moldova," she said, adding that institutions and society have become more resilient, but that "much work remains to be done."
The most important priorities for the authorities, according to the President, are justice reform and continuing the fight against disinformation.
"We must definitively eliminate this shameful phenomenon of vote buying, by ensuring that all those involved in the schemes are punished according to the law," she stressed. Political parties must also exemplarily respect financing laws.
Asked if she was satisfied, the President replied: "I wanted Moldovans to decide for Moldova," adding she was pleased with the outcome despite "all the interference and the money Moscow spent to meddle in our internal affairs." She confirmed that the European course is secure.
Referring to a protest by the "Patriotic" Electoral Bloc, Ms Sandu said: "We have seen how Moscow's dirty money has been used... to discredit protests... I want the Republic of Moldova to be a free country... so that the protests are genuine, the votes are authentic, and our democracy is authentic."
She concluded that the Russian Federation will not entirely abandon its efforts to exert pressure on Moldova, but the elections "convincingly demonstrated" that Moldovan citizens are dignified and courageous. "Moldova is a small but strong country," she stated.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
