Maia Sandu: ‘Where there is political will, there is genuine reform’

CoE/Parliamentary Assembly

“Where there is popular will, there is change. Where there is political will, there is genuine reform,” today said Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg.

Referring to the recent Presidential election, she said that “people voted for serious change”, meaning justice, better standards of living, access to quality education, healthcare and better infrastructure, as well as to “put an end to pervasive corruption”. Change means that “Moldovans will trust their state”, President Sandu underlined.

The Moldovan people “want the Presidency to join forces with a new parliament and a new government to clean the country of the vices that are holding it back – and they ask for your support in doing so,” she added. And this time, “Moldovan politicians should not fail the people.”

The drive for reform must continue “to come from the people, no matter what obstacles may block the road. And there are many obstacles. Corrupt forces will fight back, because they stand to lose not only their illicit revenues, but also their freedom.” But people “are determined to fight for change, and count on the support of Moldova’s partners in the Council of Europe,” President Sandu concluded.

Speech

Statement for the press

Video

Public Release. More on this here.