The referendum on Moldova’s accession to the European Union is a political action meant to ensure a new term in office for President Maia Sandu, said the leader of the European Social Democratic Party (PSDE) Ion Sula. The politician called on the government to abandon the idea of a referendum as there is a risk that a part of society will boycott this electoral exercise or will vote against European integration, IPN reports.

The chairman of the PSDE criticizes the government for trying to monopolize the idea of European integration by deciding to hold a referendum on this subject. According to the politician, such an exercise should take place at the end of accession negotiations and be consulted with all pro-European political forces and civil society.

“It is a political action that has a completely different purpose than the declared one. The goal is for the incumbent President to get another term as head of the Republic of Moldova and they use the subject of European integration to achieve this goal. We come with the recommendation to the ruling party not to hold this referendum because there are certain risks. Is there a scenario when citizens will vote ‘yes’ and then we ask ourselves what will change? And there is the scenario when citizens will vote ‘no’ or ‘not in favor’ of the European Union. What will change in this case? Again, nothing. The Republic of Moldova will continue negotiations. All states that joined the European Union have shown that such a referendum is held after all conditions are fulfilled or all accession chapters are negotiated,” Ion Sula said stated in the program “Resumé” on RliveTV channel.

Also, the PSDE leader announced that the decision on how to contend in the presidential election will be taken by the party, but most likely, the party will have its own candidate, who will fight for the position of head of state.

“The European Social Democratic Party is a party with traditions, with great experience. The result obtained in the local elections in November 2023 requires us to have a candidate because the party has territorial bodies and a party should normally have a candidate for President. However, this thing will still be discussed within the statutory bodies, but my personal opinion is that PSDE must have a presidential candidate,” said Ion Sula.

In late December, President Maia Sandu requested Parliament to organize a referendum on Moldova’s accession to the European Union. Subsequently, the PAS parliamentary majority amended the electoral legislation so that the national referendum can be held simultaneously with the presidential or parliamentary elections.