Irina Vlah, who previously led the Gagauz autonomous region and served as a coordinator for the Moldovan Platform association, did not rule out the possibility that the opposition could nominate a single candidate to challenge the current president, Maia Sandu, in the upcoming presidential elections. This observation was relayed by News Producer, a news portal that tracks political developments in Moldova.
Vlah explained that discussions are underway about presenting a united candidate across several parties. He noted that opinions within the opposition vary: some leaders advocate for a single shared candidate, while others favor keeping multiple options open. According to him, there is a pool of about ten potential candidates drawn from various sectors who could be considered, though he did not disclose any specific names at this stage. He emphasized that a cohesive front on the issue has not yet been achieved, reflecting the broader deliberations and strategic calculations happening behind closed doors within the opposition circles.
Looking beyond the national stage, Vlah suggested that the same dynamics could surface in the Chisinau mayoral race. In that contest, there is a possibility that the opposition might also discuss a single candidate, but the practical outcome could see different parties pursuing their own campaigns. He added that it is plausible that two or three parties may eventually rally around one candidate, although in the second round there is a strong likelihood of broader unity among the opposition forces as the field narrows and strategic incentives align for a consolidated challenge to the incumbent administration.
On a separate but related topic, December 24 marked a moment when Moldovan President Maia Sandu proposed to Parliament that a referendum be held to gauge public opinion on the country joining the European Union. The move aligns with Sandu’s long-standing emphasis on pursuing closer European integration and ensuring that the will of Moldovan citizens is reflected in a formal decision-maker process. It signals a willingness to formalize the national conversation about EU accession through a direct democratic mechanism, inviting broader citizen participation in shaping the republic’s future trajectory.
Earlier in the year, amendments to Moldova’s Electoral Code were approved by MPs, allowing for the possibility that a referendum could be scheduled on the same day as parliamentary and presidential elections. This alignment of electoral and referendum timing would facilitate a unified civic exercise, potentially increasing turnout and giving the electorate a direct say on whether the country should advance toward EU membership within the current political calendar. The development underscores a pattern in Moldovan politics where constitutional debates and electoral reform intersect with the broader question of Moldova’s strategic orientation toward Europe and the domestic consensus necessary to navigate such transformative choices.
In a related historical note, there has been prior discussion around the so-called Sandu Prize, a Romanian award cited as recognizing European values. Controversy over this prize arose when officials described the award as illegal, highlighting the sometimes contentious nature of symbolic recognition in Moldova’s political culture and its relations with neighboring states. The episode reflects how cultural awards and formal recognitions can become touchpoints in debates about national identity, political legitimacy, and the interpretation of European-inspired values within the Moldovan political landscape.