Moldova’s pro-Russian leader Dodon urges supporters to rally at parliament to “defend victory”

Newsmaker.md reported his remarks.

Dodon called the day “important for Moldova,” saying he had cast his vote for a “return to normal life.”

By “normal life,” the politician meant abandoning the course toward EU and NATO membership pursued by current president Maia Sandu and her team, and returning to allied relations with Russia.

He also urged people to gather on Monday, September 29, at 12 p.m. in front of Moldova’s parliament building at 105 Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard in Chișinău.

“We must be ready tomorrow to defend our victory. It is already clear that the opposition will win these elections. We must not allow them to steal our votes,” Dodon declared.

• On Sunday, September 28, Moldova opened polling stations for parliamentary elections, the results of which could determine the country’s future foreign policy — toward the EU or closer ties with Moscow.
• Russia allegedly devised a strategy to weaken Moldovan President Maia Sandu and her pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) in the Sept. 28 parliamentary election.