Stoianoglo: Don’t Associate Me with Igor Dodon

The candidate of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) for the post of head of state, Alexandr Stoianoglo, claims that neither he nor the party supporting him bought votes in the elections. “First of all, in all my political activity - I also participated in the elections of the bashkan of Gagauzia - I did not buy votes. I assure you that I did not do it in these elections either. Neither from my side, because I am a man of law, nor from the side of the Party of Socialists. I want to urge us to avoid political statements, saying that we see in every person a thief and a corrupt person. Such statements are dangerous for our society, they split it along political lines. Fixing the facts of vote buying is the business of law enforcement bodies, and only representatives of these bodies have the right to make such statements. Moreover, such offences should not only be recorded, but also prevented - this is the main function of law enforcement bodies,” Stoianoglo said, moldpres.md reports. At the same time, the former prosecutor does not want to be associated with Igor Dodon and the party supporting him in the elections, saying that they may have different views. Stoianoglo assured that if he wins the election, he will have good relations with Ukraine and Romania, as well as other countries. “Do not associate me with Igor Dodon. Dodon is the leader of a political party that supported me, and this does not mean that I will have certain obligations to this party or to Dodon. PSRM has its own programme and ideology, which is very different from my vision, including on Ukraine. I’ll say it again, I unequivocally condemn the war in Ukraine. I support the territorial integrity of Ukraine in accordance with the 1991 borders and will adhere to this position regardless of whether I become president or not. I assure you that I will have good relations with Ukraine and we will promote peace initiatives, we will be a country that will promote ceasefire initiatives. We will have good relations with Kyiv, Bucharest and other European countries,” Alexandr Stoianoglo said. The second round of the presidential election in Moldova will take place on 3 November. The incumbent president, Maia Sandu, supported by the PAS, and the Socialist candidate, Alexandr Stoianoglo, will compete for the post of head of state.