Three Opposition Parties Back Chicu's Initiative to Suspend Sandu, PAS Opposes

Ion Cicu has announced that he is preparing impeachment proceedings against President Maia Sandu. The initiative has already received the backing of the Party of Socialists (PSRM), the Party of Communists (PCRM), and the Democracy at Home Party, while the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has reaffirmed its support for President Sandu. Ion Chicu, MP and leader of the Party of the Development and Consolidation of Moldova (PDCM), said the draft resolution to initiate the suspension procedure is 40 pages long and details what he describes as constitutional violations committed by Maia Sandu. According to Chicu, the allegations concern the president’s failure to act in connection with several high-profile scandals, including those involving MoldATSA and real estate transactions linked to former PAS lawmaker Alexandr Trubca, Moldova 1 reports. Diana Caraman, leader of the Party of Communists, stated that her parliamentary faction would support the initiative. “Of course, we support this initiative, and Maia Sandu must be held accountable for the violations she committed while serving as president. Similar initiatives were discussed during the previous parliamentary term. The president has no right to interfere in political processes,” Caraman said. Vasile Costiuc, leader of the Democracy at Home Party, expressed a more skeptical view. While he said he would sign the draft resolution, he described it as primarily a political statement with little chance of success. “In August, when everyone is on vacation, we are launching an initiative that requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority to pass. Clearly, that is impossible. Moreover, amid the scandals involving Maia Sandu’s cousins, we are once again giving the president an opportunity to portray herself as a victim,” Costiuc said. Representatives of the Party of Socialists also confirmed that they would support Ion Chicu’s initiative. Meanwhile, the Presidential Administration emphasized that such a procedure is предусмотрена by the Constitution and that the head of state continues to perform her duties in good faith. “Initiating such a procedure is a constitutional right, and Parliament will make its decision in accordance with the law. The president received a mandate of trust from the citizens and is carrying it out with full responsibility,” the Presidential Administration said. The ruling PAS also reaffirmed its support for the president. “PAS and the PAS parliamentary faction fully and unanimously support President Maia Sandu. President Sandu received the trust of the majority of citizens to lead Moldova into the European Union, and PAS will provide all the support necessary to achieve this goal,” the party said in a statement.