{"id":442742,"date":"2016-10-16T10:32:42","date_gmt":"2016-10-16T10:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/?p=442742"},"modified":"2016-10-16T10:32:42","modified_gmt":"2016-10-16T10:32:42","slug":"european-peoples-party-endorses-maia-sandu-presidential-elections-moldova-asks-leanca-pull-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/european-peoples-party-endorses-maia-sandu-presidential-elections-moldova-asks-leanca-pull-race\/","title":{"rendered":"European People’s Party endorses Maia Sandu in the Presidential elections of Moldova, asks Leanc\u0103 to pull out of the race"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

The European People’s Party (EPP) issued a press-release<\/a> to welcome the decision<\/a> of the three center-right pro-European parties of Moldova of choosing a joint candidate for the Presidential elections on October 30th.<\/p>\n

The President of EPP, Joseph Daul, appreciated the efforts of the Liberal-Democratic Party, the Platform Dignity and Truth and the Action and Solidarity Party to support one candidate, Maia Sandu<\/a>.
\nDaul thinks Sandu is a “courageous, honest, and dedicated politician, who has Moldova\u2019s best interests at heart”. The EPP leader thus expressed party’s full endorsement for Sandu, promising further support:
\n“The EPP fully supports and stands by Maia Sandu as the only centre-right pro-European candidate, who can represent and fight for the interests of every citizen of Moldova. Maia Sandu\u2019s commitment to EPP values and principles, and her determination to fight against corruption, to make the justice system independent, and to strengthen the rule of law will ensure Moldova remains democratic and continues on the European path.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Daul expressed his respect to the leader of Platform DA, Andrei N\u0103stase, for withdrawing his candidacy from the race and showing “that the interests of the country are above his personal political ambitions”. <\/p>\n

The President of EPP is concerned about the leader of European People’s Party of Moldova, Iurie Leanc\u0103, who “showed little support and has withdrawn from the process of finding a common candidate contrary to the promise made to the EPP delegation in May 2016”. Daul believe that a divided center-right in Moldova would benefit only the pro-Russia forces.
\nDaul finally urged Leanc\u0103 to pull out of the race and support the common candidate, saying that “every vote for the center-right counts”. <\/p>\n

The Moldovan EPP leader, Iurie Leanc\u0103, later declared that he would continue the race for the Presidency of Moldova. Leanc\u0103 claims that the center-right candidates remained in the race “still have a lot to learn on how to lead the country”. The former PM thinks his main candidate is the Socialist Igor Dodon, who “will lead the country to a closed road, without a future”.
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