Dear citizens of the Republic of Moldova,

On 20 October, we will hold elections for the President of the Republic of Moldova, as well as a referendum on joining the European Union. I must draw your attention to the fact that a group of criminals is trying to deceive people, offering them money, spreading false information, and making deceptive phone calls. I urge all citizens to remain vigilant – this group is spreading lies and calling on people to engage in illegal activities. Please, do not believe them!

Our country is at a crossroads, and only we, the Moldovans, can decide which direction Moldova will take. Unfortunately, there are some, both within and outside the country, who do not want a strong, independent Moldova, where the people determine their own destiny. They want a Moldova that they can exploit and control for their own interests.

Recently, attempts to destabilise the country by criminal groups controlled from abroad have intensified. In just one month, state institutions have documented 15 million euros and 130,000 individuals being paid to sell their votes, create chaos, and obstruct our country’s path to joining the civilised world, where there is peace, and people live in harmony and prosperity. The General Police Inspectorate has conducted 350 searches in criminal cases, arrested hundreds of offenders, issued over 250 fines, and seized tens of millions of lei – dirty money prepared for criminal activities.

This criminal group is planning to call hundreds of thousands of people on election day to scare them, lie to them, or offer electoral bribes. Once again, dear citizens, do not fall into the trap of such banditry.

I thank the over 2,000 police officers who are working tirelessly to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.

Dear citizens, as Prime Minister, I guarantee that the state institutions will fulfil their duties to protect your free vote and the democratic processes.

But it is up to you, dear citizens, to stop this attack on our democracy. On Sunday, you will make the choice: do we return to the past, isolated, without resources for development and vulnerable to challenges, or do we move towards the future, towards the family of civilised nations that helps us modernise our country and live in peace, as we all desire?

I trust that Moldovans will never allow themselves to be deceived, nor will they let their fate be dictated by dirty money and bought votes. They want to sell our future. We, vote by vote, from Ocnița to Cahul, from Ungheni to Ștefan Vodă, will defend our children’s future with our votes, because we choose to live in freedom and peace.

On Sunday, the power is in the hands of every citizen of our country. The power is yours! Go and vote!