On November 1, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova will be invited to elect the future President for a four-year term. IPN News Agency asked passersby: “Who will be the next President of the Republic of Moldova and why do you think so?”. The answers can be seen below:

Eufrosinia Grăjdieru, 81, pensioner, former teacher of French

“I will vote for Dodon because he is a good President. He takes care of all the people, regardless of nationality. I wish him success. He should win!”


Vadim Uncu, 34, banking sector employee:

“I hope Dodon will not win. I hope Sandu will beat him as her managerial skills are much better than the incumbent President’s skills. There is a standard program in our case: they all propose pay raises, improvement of the economic situation, entrepreneurship, standard matters for Moldova. They should yet also do, not only propose. While he has been in power, some things developed. The President should be like the fish in the water. He should adjust to both of the directions for the sake of our country.”

Valerii Ivanov, 58, IT sector employee:

“Dodon will win the elections, but it is not known how the situation in the country will be like then. Our country is under the influence of such big players as the EU, the U.S. and Russia. Their policy always influences the internal policy of our country. The elections will be officially won by Dodon. But it is not known who will be the real President. Maybe Maia Sandu. Some serious changes could possibly take place. Nothing changes in our country. Only civil society develops.”

Valentina Pazurati, 73, pensioner, ex-seller:

“I think Dodon will win, but I’m against. Most of the people don’t know why they support him. He promises wellbeing, to root out corruption, but these are only promises. I don’t believe in him. He could have done something during so many years!”

Rita Tirocean, 50, service sector employee:

“I think Dodon will win because there is no one else who to vote for. I believe in no one as I know them all. I’m not really satisfied as he promised, but didn’t deliver many things. Who should we vote for? For Usatyi? I don’t consider him a good candidate. I’m from Râşcani and didn’t see him doing something there, as he promised. He did nothing. For whom? For Dodon. I’m against Maia Sandu.”

Dumitru Istrati, 36, manager, pharmaceutical sector employee:

“I don’t think the normal, judicious people who realize what’s happening in the country will vote for Dodon. Maia (Sandu) has bigger chances, but primarily in the runoffs. She will compete with Dodon in the runoffs. If the people will mobilize, Missis Sandu will win.”

Ion Ursu, 38, scientific researcher:

“I will vote for Maia Sandu as she is the best candidate and is our last chance of overcoming the economic, political, identity crisis and all the problems faced by the Republic of Moldova. We didn’t have such a politician in the Republic of Moldova earlier. She has another mentality and addresses the problems in a different way. I think she is incompatible with corruption and with the old style of government. That’s why I hope that something will change indeed.”

Irina Shestopalova, 55, marketing sector employee:

“I consider Igor Dodon will win. I think the young people will not go to vote. The diaspora will not yield many votes owing to the coronavirus. Many polling stations are not established there. I’m not a political analyst. I yet think I will vote for Maia Sandu, but she does not have rich experience in politics. We are not a presidential republic and not many things depend on the President. He/she must have a good team, like Igor Dodon.”

Vladimir Ciorici, 70, pensioner, doctor of sciences:

“It’s hard to say. Regrettably, some of the polls show Dodon will win. I don’t think so. He will anyway fail. I would like a person who wants Moldova to be together with the EU and Romania to win. This is what my parents wanted and left when they were of my age. The reintegration of the nation is the only chance of surviving as Russia has been the eternal aggressor of our nation. They have now Dodon. If he does not win, they hope Usatyi will pass. They will throw extraordinary forces here. The people should realize what Russia has done since its existence. Its only goal is to destroy us, to assimilate us and to build a road to the Balkans.”


Vasile Roşca, 74, pensioner, diver:

“I want Maia Sandu to win so that she jails all the thieves. They unite forces here and nothing can be done. A Stalin is needed here. They help each other. They released Platon, Filat. The right should have fielded a common candidate. They want to see how many votes each of them will gain.”


Maria Sultan, 27, teacher:

“The President should be honest, should improve things, should do more for the people. Everyone wants a change. In the Republic of Moldova, there is no person who would not want a change. I know who to vote for. We should elect the one who deserves. Everything depends on the President, but it is the people who will first elect the President. If we elect the appropriate candidate, we will get where we should. If not, we will remain with the pro-Russian mentality.”

Olga Nuca, 18, student:

“I cannot make forecasts. The President should be first of all responsible and should deliver the promises made in the election campaign. Surely, this should not be the previous President. I trust only two candidates. If they both reach the runoffs, I will elect one of them. I trust Ţîcu and Maia Sandu, but I don’t think they will both pass. I will vote in the first round so that at least one of these two candidates wins.”

Valentina Târşu, 47, teacher:

“The one who deserves should win. There are several persons I trust. This should first of all know several languages, including English, and should be the President of everyone, not of some groups. He/she should be modest, correct and honest.”


Antonina Triboi, 40, accountant:

“I think it is a roulette. I’m an apolitical person. I consider something will change, but it depends how many people will cast their ballots. Now the young people do not vote. Only the elderly people and those of the median age vote. This is the reality, regrettably. I have a son with the right to vote, but he does not really want to go and vote. It is his decision.”

Marina Florea, IPN