Presidential debate in the Republic of Moldova
The pro-European Maia Sandu and the pro-Russian candidate faced each other in the only televised debate before the second round of the presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova
Ştefan Stoica, 28.10.2024, 13:50
An unusual electoral debate, in form, but predictable in content, had as protagonists, on Sunday, the two remaining candidates in the presidential race in the Republic of Moldova: the incumbent president, the pro-European Maia Sandu, and her opponent, supported by the pro-Russian Socialists, Alexandr Stoianoglo. Sandu won the first round of the elections with over 42% of the votes, while Stoianoglo obtained almost 26%. In the absence of an impartial moderator, who proved impossible to find, the candidates were the ones who asked each other questions, so the electoral confrontation got tough.
Maia Sandu accused Stoianoglo of being the man of the Russians and of having ties to a number of Moldovan oligarchs who fled the country to avoid prison sentences for various crimes. The incumbent president asked her opponent why, during his mandate as attorney general, a controversial businessman was allowed to flee the country, although he was being prosecuted in several criminal cases, and the case known as the “Black Bag” was not investigated, in which another businessman offers money to the then socialist president, Igor Dodon. How can you convince the citizens that you will be a better president than you were attorney general? – asked Sandu, who had dismissed Stoianoglo from that position. He replied that he’d been an exemplary prosecutor and that many cases related to bank fraud were initiated during his mandate.
Then he counterattacked, stating that the referendum on the European integration of the Republic of Moldova organized on October 20, together with the first round of the presidential elections, was called by Maia Sandu for her own benefit. Stoianoglu claimed that he was a firm supporter of European integration, even if he boycotted the referendum. He criticized, on the other hand, the sanctions imposed by the West on Russia, stating that they affected the Republic of Moldova.
In her answer, Maia Sandu emphasized the importance of sanctions as a means to stop the war. Stoianoglo said that he would promote good relations with the neighbours of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Romania, but Maia Sandu replied that it was known, both in Bucharest and Kyiv, that he was Moscow’s man. Sandu described the Socialist Alexandr Stoianoglo as the “Trojan horse” through which others want to rule the country.
The second round of the presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova will take place on Sunday, November 3 and may represent a milestone in the European development of Romania’s small neighbouring state.
The referendum for European integration passed by a narrow margin, tempering the enthusiasm of those who imagined that the Republic of Moldova was ready to decisively break away from the past. It is true that Maia Sandu accused the meddling in the electoral process of some criminal groups that acted alongside foreign forces hostile to the interests of the country. The game will not be played in favour of the pro-Europeans even in the case of the victory of Maia Sandu, admired for her consistency and courage in all Western chancelleries. It should be completed with the victory of the pro-Europeans in next year’s legislatures. (MI)
