Presidency, following opposition initiative to suspend head of state: Maia Sandu won trust of more than 930,000 citizens to preserve peace and European path

The Presidency issued a statement announcing that President Maia Sandu will continue the mandate entrusted to her by the citizens. The statement came after parliamentary opposition factions announced today that they were initiating proceedings to suspend the head of state from office. Opposition representatives accuse the president of violating the Constitution.


“President Maia Sandu won the trust of more than 930,000 citizens to maintain peace and security in the Republic of Moldova and ensure the European direction of development. President Maia Sandu will continue the mandate entrusted to her by the citizens, including to protect the constitutional order, democracy, and the freedom of all,” the statement by the Presidency reads.


According to information presented by the parliamentary opposition, the suspension initiative was supported by representatives of Alternative Bloc, the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), Our Party, the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), and Democracy at Home and was signed by 46 MPs.

Representatives of the five opposition factions held a news conference at which they announced the registration of the draft document, containing “50 pages of accusations,” with the legislature.

The official announcement was made by deputy Ion Chicu, a former prime minister, who said that the document would be sent to all embassies accredited in the Republic of Moldova, as well as to other relevant institutions.


“We condemn the way the state is being administered by the current government through the violation of the principle of the separation of powers and the abusive assumption by the president of the Republic of Moldova of the powers belonging to the other branches of state authority,” Ion Chicu said.


The opposition claims that Maia Sandu repeatedly violated the provisions of the Constitution and the laws, citing, among other things, “usurpation of state power,” undermining the principle of the separation of powers, interference in the judiciary, and violation of the obligation of political impartiality.


“We note an extremely serious situation in the field of justice and in the guaranteeing and protection of human rights. We are initiating proceedings to suspend Maia Sandu, the President of the Republic of Moldova, from office, as she has repeatedly committed serious violations of the Constitution and the laws of the country. This concerns the usurpation of state power by undermining the rule of law, democracy, and the principle of the separation of powers; undermining the legislative branch, manifested through the violation of the procedure for nominating a candidate for the office of prime minister; undermining the executive branch by unlawfully issuing instructions to the Government; undermining the judicial branch by unconstitutionally exercising presidential powers; interference in the work of prosecutorial bodies; and undermining the independence, integrity, and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova,” the opposition statement says.


According to Article 89 of the Constitution, a proposal to suspend the president from office may be initiated by at least one-third of the deputies. The president may provide Parliament with explanations regarding the allegations made against her. Two-thirds of the deputies’ votes are required to approve the suspension. If the suspension proposal is approved, a referendum on the president’s dismissal must be organized within no more than 30 days.

In the latest presidential election, held on November 3, 2024, Maia Sandu received 930,139 votes, representing 55.35% of all valid votes cast.