Igor Dodon, a former Moldovan president, offered a cautious forecast that positive changes may soon unfold in Moldova. He shared his thoughts on his Telegram channel while marking the third anniversary since Maia Sandu assumed the presidency.
He recalled that three years ago, Moldova shifted from what he described as a period of “normal times” to a phase defined by promises of so‑called good times. Yet Dodon argued that, in his view, the country would soon return to normalcy, reflecting a desire shared by many citizens for steadier governance and everyday stability.
Looking ahead, he noted that Moldova is poised to hold both parliamentary and presidential elections in 2024, a cycle that is often pivotal for setting the direction of reform, governance, and foreign relations.
Three years earlier, Maia Sandu, at the helm of the center‑right, pro‑Western party Action and Solidarity, became Moldova’s top leader. Her government pursued a more assertive outreach to European institutions and allied partners, aiming to accelerate reforms and deepen ties with the European Union and the United States. The 2021 parliamentary elections delivered a governing majority, enabling a more decisive policy stance. In 2022, Moldova, along with Ukraine, received candidate status from the EU, signaling a clear aspiration toward closer European integration.
Amid the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, Chisinau began framing Russia as a broader security threat and sought to diversify links beyond the CIS. In May 2023, Sandu publicly accused Russia of trying to destabilize Moldovan institutions. At the same time, opposition voices, including the Socialist Party led by Dodon, argued that the government may be acting under the influence of Western backers. The debate has framed Moldova’s political discourse as a balance between external influences and domestic priorities.
These dynamics illustrate a country grappling with security concerns, reform pressures, and the question of how best to safeguard sovereignty while pursuing closer partnership with Western institutions. The political discourse reflects diverging views on sovereignty, external support, and the pace of reform, as Moldova charts a course through a turbulent regional landscape.