Maia Sandu perceived Marian Lupu’s withdrawal from the electoral competition erroneously. This is how the Democratic Party (PDM) reacted after the joint candidate of the center-right opposition gave a news conference. The administration of the PDM made a call for political maturity and responsibility, for balance and avoidance of statements that could demotivate the pro-European voters. As regards the statements made by the Socialist candidate, the Democrats said these are generated by the fact that Igor Dodon understood that he would lose the elections, IPN reports.
In a press release, the PDM says Maia Sandu’s reaction is emotive and inappropriate and transmits an aggressive message to the Democratic voters and confuses them. “We hope our voters will treat with understanding this moment and on Sunday will vote in favor of the continuation of Moldova’s European course,” says the party.
As to the statements and accusations made by the Socialist candidate, the PDM says the arguments provided by Igor Dodon in the campaign are based on gross manipulation and lies. “Igor Dodon represents the past, while the Republic of Moldova must count on a European future,” says the press release.
On October 26, the Democratic Party’s chairman Marian Lupu announced that he withdraws from the electoral competition and called on the PDM’s supporters to vote for the pro-European candidate Maia Sandu, who has real chances of beating the Socialist candidate in the runoff elections. Marian Lupu said such a decision was taken based on sociological analyses.
Reactions followed immediately. Maia Sandu said the withdrawal of the Democratic Party’s candidate Marian Lupu from the electoral race is aimed at misleading the voters and is a ‘poisoned apple’ designed to discredit her. “Plahotniuc realizes my plans. His goal is not my victory. His goal is to consolidate his power, which is his only chance to remain on the outside and to continue his game in politics. For the purpose, he needs a President who barks loudly, but does not bite. He needs Igor Dodon,” Maia Sandu told a news conference.
On his Facebook page, Igor Dodon wrote that what he said several months ago became true and his opponent Maia Sandu is actually the common candidate agreed in Washington by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and first deputy chairman of the Democratic Party Vlad Plahotniuc. “They knew to convince Plahotniuc. The Americans have their own methods. They have their information, investigations and files, while Maia is a pawn in that agreement. From the very beginning, we have been involved in a theater orchestrated by the Americans, which is to ultimately lead to the union of all the pro-governmental and pro-European forces in an electoral platform. The moment of truth came and this game was revealed today,” Igor Dodon said.
