Sandu: Sad that Someone Didn’t Say ‘Yes’ in Referendum Just Because They Don’t Like Our Government

On a TV program, Maia Sandu confirmed her intention to make government reshuffles amid certain dissatisfactions she had heard in conversations with citizens. The head of state emphasized that she took into account citizens’ complaints about ‘the activity of some ministries.’ That is why she promised certain changes in the Cabinet by the year-end, jurnal.md reports. However, the president insists that the European integration process does not concern the current government, even though many citizens associate EU integration with PAS. Speaking about the association, Sandu said that she regretted if someone had not expressed their position in the referendum only because of some government failures. ‘I’ve heard the citizens. I’ve heard complaints about one ministry and another, and these personnel changes will happen right before the New Year. When we talk about the referendum, we must realize that the referendum and European integration are not PAS. Whether you like the government or not, the European integration is something different. And I feel sorry if someone did not vote ‘yes’ in the referendum just because they don’t like the government,’ the president said. Sandu admitted that there were mistakes in the government activities, but insists that now is not the time to ‘punish’ the current leadership. Today, according to the head of state, the bet is on preserving the European path, and ‘electoral sanctions’ can easily be expressed by citizens in the parliamentary elections next year. However, Maia Sandu did not specify the details of the planned reshuffles, but promised that these changes would follow immediately after 3 November if she received a new presidential mandate. ‘Of course, mistakes were made, some things could have been done better. I repeat, the government can be strengthened and improved immediately after these elections. Now we must mobilize, work and defend our country. I will not go into reasoning now, but immediately after we save the country, on 3 November, we should sit down and see how we can do it, so that by the time of the parliamentary session we have stronger institutions, with fewer vulnerabilities, so that we are able to resist the pressure, which unfortunately will not diminish,’ the head of state added.