Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat, ex-leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM), said that his conviction sentences that he considers illegal and politically motivated does not specify the damage. This is how the politician responded to his former Cabinet colleague Maia Sandu, PAS president, who in a recent TV program asked where the money stolen within the bank fraud is. Vlad Filat said the value of the property that was confiscated from him was much higher than the sum indicated in his conviction, IPN reports.
In the talk show “Secrets of the Power” on Jurnal TV channel, the politician said Maia Sandu should be more informed and more attentive as such assertions are calumnious. He had property gained starting with 1994 confiscated and its value was much higher than the sum imputed to him.
As to his return to politics, Vlad Filat said this is not at all a simple decision and he hasn’t yet decided what to do. However, he will take an active part in the campaign prior to the new parliamentary elections in Hâncești. “I will be near my mates from the PLDM who suffered a lot. It is my moral duty to support and help them as I can. I will become involved in the elections in Hâncești and hope a lot that I will have the possibility to take part in debates, including with Missis Sandu, in this election campaign,” he stated.
The ex-Premier said he wasn’t banned from taking part in this year’s presidential elections, but is not interested in them. “I will definitely not run, but I will not remain passive and will follow the developments in the Republic of Moldova,” he explained.
Vlad Filat called on the politicians of the parties of the right to be rational and leave aside the ambitions and harsh statements. If they really want the presidential elections to be won by the candidate of the center-right, this candidate should have the capacity to accumulate the necessary votes in the runoffs. “If the candidate for President in 2016 had been Andrei Năstase, Mister Năstase would have been elected President. I say this not from my experience but based on figures and everyone can do such calculations. This is interesting for the future so as to avoid the repeat of particular situations,” he stated, adding the idea of having a common candidate supported by all the parties is the only one that can lead to victory in the runoffs.
The former Premier also commented on the assertions that President Igor Dodon wants to become a new Plahotniuc and makes effort to gain more power in Moldova. “I think no other Plahotniuc can exist in an area of about 6,000 km. I do not say this because I served time in jail and suffered. I say this because this man is indeed dangerous for society. I don’t think someone in the Republic of Moldova can ever replace him,” he said.
Vlad Filat admitted that he has a feeling of guilt and regrets that he could not deliver what he promised to the people.
Ex-Premier Vlad Filat, who was sentenced to nine years in jail, was released on parole on December 3, 2019.
