{"id":443684,"date":"2017-03-29T22:48:38","date_gmt":"2017-03-29T22:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/?p=443684"},"modified":"2017-03-29T22:48:38","modified_gmt":"2017-03-29T22:48:38","slug":"maia-sandu-epp-summit-moldova-government-killing-hope-moldovans-can-future-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moldova.org\/en\/maia-sandu-epp-summit-moldova-government-killing-hope-moldovans-can-future-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Maia Sandu at EPP Summit: Moldova Government is killing hope that Moldovans can have a future at home"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Former Presidential candidate and\u00a0chairwoman of the Action and Solidarity Party of Moldova, Maia Sandu, is participating at the European People’s Party Summit in Malta during March 29-30.<\/p>\n

On March 29th, Sandu had the opportunity to address the EPP Congress on the behalf of pro-European\u00a0opposition from Moldova.<\/p>\n

Speaking on behalf of the Moldovan citizens\u00a0<\/em>who support the European cause of Moldova, Sandu referred to the strong result achieved without media resources, without money,<\/em>\u00a0in the Presidential elections against Igor Dodon,\u00a0promoted by corrupt, oligarchic government<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The former World Bank consultant emphasized that Moldovan is governed by an oligarchic party (Democratic Party) with less than 4% support, but that managed to create a\u00a0parliamentary majority\u00a0through bribery, manipulation and intimidation<\/em>, captured all government institutions, including courts and prosecution.<\/p>\n

According to Sandu, President Igor Dodon (and his pro-Russian views) is a\u00a0fake political opponent, a scarecrow to stay in power\u00a0<\/em>for the Democrats. Moreover, Sandu warned that, to continue the control over Moldova, the latter would try to switch\u00a0to an electoral system that will allow them to more easily rig the next elections<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The former Presidential candidate declared that the worst action\u00a0of the current government is\u00a0killing hope<\/strong><\/em>– hope that Moldovans can have a future at home<\/em>.<\/p>\n

“And the worst of all is that <\/em>they are killing hope<\/strong>.<\/em> (…)\u00a0Hope that in Moldova politicians and public servants can pursue the public good. Hope that the government can create economic opportunities for everyone. Hope that in Moldova, the Romanians, the Russians, the Ukrainians, the Gagauz, the Bulgarians will not be manipulated to fear and hate each other because of their ethnic origin”, said Sandu.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, she warned that Moldova’s geopolitical weakness lies in the corrupt government:<\/p>\n

“It is true that Moldova has always borne the full burden of geopolitical upheavals and that Russia wants to keep us on a short leash. But \u2013 let\u2019s be objective – a corrupt government, hated by people, which calls itself pro-European, is a gift to Kremlin<\/strong>“<\/em>, stressed PAS chairwoman.<\/p>\n

In the end, Maia Sandu reminded the EPP about the common pro-European front made by the Party of Action and Solidarity, Liberal Democratic Party and Dignity and Truth Platform.<\/p>\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n

Sandu’s full\u00a0speech<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Ladies and gentlemen,<\/em><\/div>\n
It\u2019s an honor to be speaking to you on behalf of the Moldovan citizens who want a fundamental change in the way our country is governed<\/span><\/strong>. It\u2019s an honor for me to be the voice of the Moldovan citizens who reject the politics of repression, division and state capture. It\u2019s an honor to speak on behalf of those citizens who supported Moldova\u2019s European cause against the candidate promoted by corrupt, oligarchic government in the presidential election last year. Without media resources, without money, we polled half of the votes in that election, and this is a very strong foundation for our efforts to create a sound, democratic governance in Moldova!<\/em><\/div>\n
Today my country is governed by an oligarchic party supported by less than 4% of the people. Through bribery, manipulation and intimidation they have cobbled together a so-called \u201eparliamentary majority\u201d. Cynical and insecure, they captured all government institutions. They control prosecution and courts, and extract huge illegal gains from a system which benefits a few and brings injustice and dire poverty to the rest.<\/em><\/div>\n
This deeply corrupt and unpopular government violates democratic procedures and changes all rules to keep power at any cost. They created a fake political opponent, helped him to win the Presidency, and now use him as a scarecrow to stay in power. In order to continue to control the country with only 4% of popular support, they are trying to switch to an electoral system that will allow them to more easily rig the next elections. I would like to sound the alarm. What you have seen in Moldova so far was not great, but, if these people manage to carry out their plans, it is going to get much worse.<\/em><\/div>\n
And the worst of all is that they are killing hope<\/strong>.<\/span> Hope that Moldovans can have a future at home. Hope that in Moldova politicians and public servants can pursue the public good. Hope that the government can create economic opportunities for everyone. Hope that in Moldova, the Romanians, the Russians, the Ukrainians, the Gagauz, the Bulgarians will not be manipulated to fear and hate each other because of their ethnic origin.<\/em><\/div>\n
It is true that Moldova has always borne the full burden of geopolitical upheavals and that Russia wants to keep us on a short leash. But \u2013 let\u2019s be objective – a corrupt government, hated by people, which calls itself pro-European, is a gift to Kremlin.<\/em><\/div>\n
Ladies and gentlemen, we, millions of Moldovans, share one common aspiration: we want to create a functional, European state that would ensure a better future for all of us. And this aspiration comes from our unyielding faith in those European values \u2013 the values of the European People\u2019s Party – that have held this continent together through all its trials and tribulations: rule of law, liberal democracy, accountable government and respect for human dignity. We have none of these in today\u2019s Moldova. But we have created a common front with pro-European Moldovan parties \u2013 Party of Action and Solidarity, Liberal Democratic Party and Dignity and Truth Platform \u2013 to fight for this dream and to make it a reality. As always, we count on and greatly appreciate your support in our joint struggle.<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

.@sandumaiamd<\/a> “We have created a common front of pro-European parties” pic.twitter.com\/wC8CL3HGmS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 EPP (@EPP) March 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n