The leader of the European People’s Party of Moldova (PPEM) Iurie Leanca on October 1 kicked off his campaign prior to the presidential elections, IPN reports. The politician said the October 30 elections represent a choice between the East and the West and the people should choose the West so as to build a prosperous state. Moldova needs a President who will strengthen the state institutions, will not be dependent on oligarchs and will free the country from thieves, IPN reports.

Among the set objectives, the candidate for President enumerated the ensuring of welfare and prosperity with the assistance of the partners and building of an independent and fair justice sector so that everyone is equal before the law. The ex-Premier aims to punish those involved in the banking frauds and to restore the stolen money.

The leader of the PPEM said that as President, he will exert pressure on the government so that this fulfills its commitments to the people and will be the voice of the people in the relations with the government. He will also develop economic relations with the partners from the West and the East. He noted that when he was Prime Minister, he showed that he can do important things for the state and can maintain relations with the development partners and these things will be continued.

The leader of the young wing of the PPEM Ion Ranga said that when the visa regime was liberalized, the horizon for the young people was extended and there appeared opportunities of studying abroad so as to later bring the accumulated experience home and contribute to the county’s prosperity.

Iurie Leanca is under No. 3 on the ballot. His slogan in the election campaign is “We go to the West and build a prosperous Moldova”.