Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said it would be difficult to congratulate Moldovan President Maia Sandu over her pro-Western party’s recent victory in the parliamentary election due to the country’s member in the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS.
“As long as Moldova remains a member of the CIS, it will be difficult for us to congratulate. We will wait until Moldova leaves the CIS, and then we will see, we will reconsider the issue of congratulations,” he said on Monday while answering a reporter’s question. Kobakhidze was commenting on the crucial parliamentary election held on Sunday, that saw Sandu’s pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) win 50.2% of votes. PAS’s main rival, Kremlin-leaning Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP) secured 24.18% of votes in the election that had 52% turnover. Sandu described the election as “crucial” due to reports of widespread Russian meddling.
PAS’s victory in the election ensured that Moldova will remain on its path to EU accession that was enshrined in the country’s constitution following the referendum held last October. In the same election, Maia Sandu was elected to the second four-term presidency. Sandu was elected the president in the election in 2010 and has been pursuing policies to bring her county closer to the EU and the West.
Earlier, journalists from Georgia’s pro-government Imedi news outlet were denied entry into Moldova to cover the election due. It should be noted that Sandu’s party’s victory has been welcomed by EU countries, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulating Moldovans for choosing “Europe. Democracy. Freedom.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Sandu, saying she had "saved democracy" and "stopped Russia in its attempts to take control over the whole region. A good lesson for us all".
