President's message at press conference, following conclusion of parliamentary elections on 28 September

Thank you very much to all the citizens who went to vote, both at home and abroad. In small villages or big cities. Every vote counted. We have shown the whole world that we are a country of brave and dignified people. We have not been bought, intimidated, or scared; we mobilized and protected our country through honest voting. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We have demonstrated responsibility: both at home and in diaspora, those who picked grapes all day yesterday in the fields because the rains are coming, and those who had polling stations hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away, took the time and came to the polls to support Moldova with their vote.  Yesterday, and during the campaign weeks, we showed that we know how to be united when the future of our country is in danger. We must remain just as united in our daily efforts to develop Moldova. Our unity will protect us in these difficult times and help us achieve the country's development programs more quickly and effectively. 

The result of the vote is not the victory of a party or some voters. It is the country's victory. And we must use this victory for the well-being of all citizens, regardless of whom they voted for. 

Moldova is our home, and we all want the same things: to live in peace, freedom, to offer our children a safe future here at home. The shortest path to these goals is the European path. Yesterday's vote is a strong mandate for the EU accession process.

Kremlin tried to divide us all this time, to attack our confidence - confidence in the state, in institutions, in each other, in our ability to withstand. 

This campaign showed that we have vulnerabilities, but we also have capable institutions and dedicated people. CEC, Police, the Intelligence and Security Service, the National Anti-corruption Center, prosecutors, specialists in preventing cyber-attacks, in combating money laundering, many other institutions and officials watched day and night to protect the integrity of the electoral processes and the sovereign choice of the Moldovans. 

A huge contribution was made by the media, which managed to expose several Kremlin schemes against Moldova, civil society, representatives of the private sector, civic activists, responsible citizens who contributed to the fight against misinformation.

In these elections, we saw that both society and state institutions have become more resilient. But we still have a lot of work to do. 

No election should ever be held under such threats again. And here the most important thing is judicial reform. In democracy, society operates according to the law, and the law must be applied to everyone equally. We must permanently eliminate this shameful phenomenon of vote-buying, first of all ensuring that all those who organized these schemes and lured people into these traps are punished according to the law. And political parties must exemplarily respect the provisions of the financing law; this is an essential element of the genuine democratic process, and violations must be sanctioned. The fight against misinformation is more challenging, but we must also seek solutions here. 

Dear citizens,

I know that some of you are worried. The future government must ensure that every citizen is part of the country's development project. No one should be left behind. The elections are over, and I know many of you are tired. It has been a tough and intense period.  Now is the time for all of us to gather and remember that we are united by much more than what divides us. There are no winners and losers. Because only together can we build a peaceful, safe, and prosperous future for the Republic of Moldova. And now, let me tell you something: let's not forget that there is life beyond politics  – walks, books, shows, sports, family and friends meetings. The work we love. 

Good luck to us all.