Moldovan head of state says many of those who signed draft on president's suspension do Moscow’s bidding

President Maia Sandu believes that the opposition’s attempt to suspend her from office is connected to her firm support for Moldova’s European integration and justice reforms. The head of state says that some of the politicians who signed the document concerning her suspension are doing the Russian Federation’s bidding.

Asked whether the suspension attempt could be part of the same effort as the cyberattack, Maia Sandu said that, based on the accusations leveled against her, she understands that some politicians are bothered by the fact that she proposed organizing a referendum on European integration, so that citizens could directly express their choice.

“I see a direct connection here, because there is no other state in the world that is more upset than Russia by the fact that Moldova wants to join the European Union. So, things are very clear here. We know the position of the Russian Federation, and we have also seen politicians from Moldova align themselves with this effort,” the head of state said.

Maia Sandu noted that another source of discontent for some politicians could be the justice reform, following which more corrupt individuals left the system.

“As for the justice reform, it appears that there are politicians in Moldova who are upset by the fact that more corrupt people in the justice system have left the system,” the president said.

At the same time, the head of state referred to the international awards she received for efforts to strengthen democracy, which she says may have upset certain individuals. Maia Sandu stressed that she had not used any of the money from these awards for herself or her family, and that information about how the funds were used is public.

“I have seen that they are also bothered by the fact that I have received more international awards for my efforts, as well as yours, to strengthen democracy. I have not taken a single penny from these awards, nor have I used any of the money for my personal benefit or for my family. Information about how these funds were used is public,” Maia Sandu emphasized.

The parliamentary opposition initiated the procedure to suspend President Maia Sandu on September 29, 2026, with the draft signed by 46 MPs. The authors cited alleged serious violations of the Constitution, including interference with the activity of other branches of state power and the head of state’s involvement in supporting the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) during election campaigns. In response, the Presidency announced that Maia Sandu would continue the mandate entrusted to her by the citizens.

According to Article 89 of the Constitution, suspending the president requires the vote of at least two-thirds of the deputies, namely 68 out of 101.