Moldovan President Maia Sandu Announces Re-election Bid and EU Referendum Proposal
Moldova's pro-European President, Maia Sandu, has declared her intention to seek a second presidential term in the late 2024 elections. Simultaneously, she has urged the parliament, dominated by her allies in the Party of Action and Solidarity, to initiate preparations for a referendum on Moldova's pursuit of European Union membership.
In a statement published on the presidential website, Sandu emphasized her commitment to leading the country towards EU integration. "We still have important steps to take, and I pledge to continue, if you will give me your trust for a new term," she stated.
Sandu called on the parliament to begin work on a referendum concerning Moldova's European orientation, urging clarity on the nation's path. "Our future is in the European family, and we need to say clearly - the whole country - which path we choose for Moldova. I call on parliament to initiate a referendum next autumn, in which the voice of the citizens will be decisive," Sandu asserted.
The president, a former World Bank economist, has consistently advocated for EU membership since her significant victory over Socialist pro-Russian former President Igor Dodon in December 2020. She has been an outspoken critic of Russia, denouncing its invasion of Ukraine and accusing Moscow of plotting a coup against her. The Kremlin, in response, has accused her of fostering Russophobia.
An EU summit earlier this month granted approval to commence membership talks with both Moldova and Ukraine, marking a significant step in their European integration process.
Igor Dodon, Sandu's political rival, expressed opposition to her re-election bid and the proposed referendum. Writing on his Facebook page, Dodon argued that pro-European policies were not a guarantee of victory, claiming that people now associate Sandu with "poverty, arrogance, and anti-democratic violence."
Presidential elections are scheduled for November-December 2024, with the exact date to be determined by the parliament. Recent polls indicate that Sandu's PAS enjoys a lead with 30 to 45 percent of the vote, compared to 28 to 38 percent for Dodon's Socialists and eight to 15 percent for the Chance party of fugitive business magnate Ilan Shor, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison on fraud charges earlier this year.
Sandu's push for EU integration has garnered substantial public support, evident in the enthusiasm shown during open-air meetings in Chisinau last May and in PAS's success in winning control of about one-third of local councils in municipal elections held last month, signaling positive traction for her pro-European policies.
