Moldovan president conveys message to citizens before September 28 parliamentary elections

Dear citizens,

Today, I want to speak to you not as a President, but as a citizen. As a citizen who ten years ago decided that she did not want to live in a country run by thieves. And, alongside many of you, we set out to bring down the oligarchic regime.

We faced years of hard struggle against a corrupt, dangerous regime. that mocked people and the image of our country. It was harder than we imagined, but we did not give up even when we could no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Together, with much effort, one fine day, we managed to oust the oligarch from power. But we did not stop there ,because in place of some thieves, others emerged, kin to the previous ones and godfathered in Moscow. Four years ago, we managed to remove them from power as well.

The situation we inherited was not easy and we weren't very lucky because all kinds of crises befell us and – most seriously – a war started in our neighborhood. But we mobilized, started the reforms, stopped the schemes and showed to the whole world that Moldovans are good people, brave people, not thieves and traitors.

We got down to serious work, and other countries saw us and helped us. We finally started the process of joining the European Union. Looking back, these ten years have been very intense. But I know that some of you will say that not enough has been done, that you are disappointed, that you no longer see a reason to vote, that you are scared or tired of saving the country. Know that this is what the Kremlin counts on, and this is what the corrupt people count on.

Good things are done with difficulty, over decades. Bad things can come upon us overnight. Our actions and inactions always have consequences – let us be aware of them and take responsibility.

Moldova is our home – it always deserves our time and attention. Moldova deserves to be saved every time. Go to vote, for you and for Moldova.

Moldova, you are beautiful and brave, move forward towards a better future in peace!