Maia Sandu, the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) candidate and current President of Moldova announced plans to reshape her government team by the end of 2024 if re-elected. She made these remarks during electoral debates on Moldova 1 TV.
Sandu acknowledged that some voters cast their ballots in the first election round as a form of protest. However, she emphasized that purchased votes pose a more significant issue than protest votes. She stressed the need for state institutions to act whenever integrity issues arise.
“Certainly, people cast protest votes, and we understand why,” Sandu said. “The problem lies with purchased votes, not protest votes. Democracy includes both support and dissent. Yes, we made mistakes, even with good intentions. There were crises, and some handled them better than others. But I have never limited, nor considered limiting, any institution’s independence on integrity issues. Institutions are free to act and, if necessary, to pursue justice,” she added.
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Sandu reiterated her intention to adjust her government team. “We need change. I have listened to citizens and engaged with various communities, and I understand where they expect improvements,” she stated.
Only Sandu appeared at the Moldova 1 debate, with moderator Radu Osipov noting that Socialist candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo declined the invitation.
In the first round of the presidential election on October 20, Sandu received 42.49% of the vote, securing 656,852 ballots in her favor. Stoianoglo, the Party of Socialists candidate, received 25.95% and 401,215 votes. The runoff election will be on November 3.