MEP Siegfried Muresan warns that the presidential elections in Romania on May 18 will have a direct impact on the European course of the Republic of Moldova and on the bilateral relations between the two countries. In a statement to the IPN news agency, Mureșan warned of the risks posed by a possible victory of candidate George Simion, whom he considers “anti-European, populist and extremist”.
“The choice is between the future and the past, between freedom and autocracy, between development and stagnation. The pro-European candidate, Nicusor Dan, is the one who would keep Romania and Moldova united, while George Simion would create division,” said Muresan.
According to the MEP, a presidential mandate for Simion could bring to power a government formed by “extremist and populist parties” in Bucharest, which would jeopardize bilateral relations and support for Moldova.
“I heard him talking about stopping aid to Ukraine, I heard him talking about the fact that Romania should only help itself. Romania has a historic debt to the Republic of Moldova. The support offered is beneficial for both countries, but George Simion does not understand this and could use Moldova as a political target”, the MEP added.
Siegfried Muresan urged Moldovan citizens who also hold Romanian citizenship to actively participate in the elections, including on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and in other countries, stressing that the outcome of the elections will directly affect all of them.
Siegfried Muresan reiterated the need for Romania to be led by a pro-European president, capable of forming a stable and Western-oriented government: “This is at stake and it is very high.”
For the second round of the Romanian presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova, the same 64 polling stations will be maintained. Voters are expected to go to the polls on one of the three diaspora voting days: May 16, 17 or 18. Polling stations will be open from 07:00 until 21:00.
In the first round, the candidate of the AUR party, George Simion, got 40.96% of the votes, while the independent candidate Nicusor Dan – 20.99%.