The citizens of the Republic of Moldova are urged to participate in the national constitutional referendum on October 20. Representatives of the civic initiative “Citizens for Europe”, which includes personalities from various fields, say that on Sunday the population will decide the fate of the country. In the case of the referendum, there is no second round, IPN reports.
One of the founders of the initiative, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicu Popescu told a press conference that hundreds of people have put their shoulder to strengthen and cement the role and place of the Republic of Moldova in the family of free European states. “Only a framework of democracy, only a framework of freedom can continue to ensure our peace... Only Europe can ensure these things, this peace. Don’t let others decide for you, to steal your vote by buying the votes of others. Go and vote, the decision belongs to you,” urged Nicu Popescu.
Another founder of the initiative, the head of WatchDog community Valeriu Pasha, spoke about the information campaign regarding the constitutional referendum. The involved over 700 volunteers went from door to door, participated in meetings with citizens. They managed to inform citizens of 100 localities from all the districts of the country about the essence of European integration, but also to debunk falsehoods and misinformation disseminated in the public space. According to him, there are numbered days until the election and new misinformation is expected in social media.
“On Sunday, through a simple vote, through a simple effort to move a few tens, hundreds of meters here, in the Republic of Moldova, those in the diaspora maybe a little more, we can cement our path, which is not only European. Behind the expression “European path”, there are many more things, including a prosperous, free, democratic, peaceful future here at home. This time, let’s defend our democracy and freedom by voting,” said journalist Alex Cozer.
Soprano Valentina Naforniță noted that she received her education at home, in the Republic of Moldova, but studied in the European Union as she enjoyed many opportunities. Now she decided to return home, where she is sure that things can be built nicely. In her opinion, this can be achieved if the people go to vote and say “Yes” in the referendum. “We have such an occasion and an opportunity to decide for ourselves the future, for our children and even for our children’s grandparents. And this is because we want them, our grandparents to live their remaining time in a prosperous country, in a beautiful country, to be able to travel freely,” stated the soprano.
On October 20, the citizens are expected to vote in the presidential election and in a referendum on joining the EU. In the plebiscite, the people will answer the question: “Are you for amending the Constitution so as to enshrine the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the EU in it?”
