"I Am One of You, a Simple Person." Sandu Made a Post-Adjuration Address

Moldovan President Maia Sandu delivered a post-adjuration speech on December 24 during the inauguration ceremony. Sandu said she would be a president of justice and would act in the best interests of all citizens. Maia Sandu began her speech thanking everyone who voted for her, noting that the majority of citizens voted against corruption. “The victory I won in these elections is not mine, but yours, dear citizens, because otherwise, never in a country with such problems as in Moldova, would a person like me become president. I am one of you, an ordinary person, a daughter of this land, who entered politics, angry at corruption, from which the country is suffocating. Like me, you believe that participation is the solution. In November, you taught a lesson in patriotism and civic spirit, and provided the greatest capital of trust in the new president. With a vote of confidence, I am entering the gates of the presidency today. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart the citizens living in the country and the representatives of the diaspora, who understood that Moldova needs each of us. And I want to ask you to continue this journey together. Victory should belong to the country, not to the politicians,” Sandu said. The President noted that she and all citizens face serious challenges, given the state to which the previous leadership brought the country. “Your energy is critical to the real transformation of Moldova. The development of Moldova must be a choice that we make every day. I have big plans for our country, but I will not be able to realize them alone. I need your help, dear citizens. We need each other to put things in order and build a good country for everyone. I know the expectations are high, but the challenges are even greater. We are going through very difficult times. The pandemic found our state in a weak state, afflicted by corrupt groups, when it is no longer able to provide sick people with access to health services and did nothing to save the economy and jobs. But as if that wasn't enough. In the midst of the sanitary and economic crisis, we are again being brutally attacked by corrupt officials. In these elections, the overwhelming majority of people voted against corruption and against lies. It was a vote for justice, for the opportunity for honest people to live in abundance here at home. Frightened by the rallying of people in the fight against corruption and theft, those whose duty was to lead the country into the light have tried and are still trying to plunge the country into darkness, corruption, poverty, chaos even more,” Sandu said. She stressed that the only way to cleanse the country of corrupt officials is to hold early elections. “I know what role the president of the country has in accordance with the Constitution. I will abide by the Constitution and laws. But people cannot wait any longer and demand early changes. A good start for Moldova cannot be built on parliamentary corruption or ignoring the voice of the people. Politics can no longer be a protection for the oligarchs, for those who imagine that they can buy everyone and everything in this country, including justice and hope. Early parliamentary elections are the only way to clear parliament. There is no other solution. There are no 51 deputies in the current parliament who would support the people's government. Dear citizens, our fight against corruption will not be easy. But I tell you with all responsibility and confidence that we will triumph in this struggle. We will be able to cleanse the state of corrupt officials, we will build a state in which thieves will be in prison, and not lead the country,” Sandu said. In her speech, the president said that she would fight against bureaucracy and protect entrepreneurs and mayors. “I propose to become the president of justice, a supporter of all who are fighting for the rule of law, legal institutions. I propose to build a free state. And for civil servants, and for workers in the private sector and the associative sector. So that the political preferences of people, whatever they may be, are not a reason for persecution. I will protect entrepreneurs from abuse by officials in order to build a strong and competitive economy. I will be the guarantor of the independence of the mayors. And I will severely punish the use of state institutions for political purposes,” the president said. “Dear citizens, I will fight against those who rob us and bring us to poverty. I will act in the interests of all citizens in order to raise the standard of living and instill confidence in the future,” Sandu said in Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz and Bulgarian. “Whatever political views you hold, whatever language you speak, whatever nationality you are, I promise that I will respect everyone. I am your president and you can count on me,” Sandu said in conclusion.