President Maia Sandu's message at the first meeting of the new Parliament, elected on September 28th

Dear citizens,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We stand at the beginning of a new journey - in a newly elected Parliament to which the citizens have entrusted the fate of the country for the next four years and, above all, the mission of preserving peace in Moldova.

This beginning carries within it the hopes and trust of the people, but also the duty to live up to their expectations.

We must all recognize that the period we are going through is the most complex since independence, and our responsibility toward the people is immense.

Therefore, now more than ever, Moldova needs unity and devotion. It needs every one of those who, starting today, take their seat in this chamber to fulfil their mandate with honour and integrity, acting solely in the interest of the Republic of Moldova.

Peace is our most precious asset, and we all owe it to our citizens to protect it.

It is a difficult mission - because the world is going through a period of deep tension and uncertainty, and our country faces hybrid attacks meant to divide, frighten, and weaken us.

So at least now, in the eleventh hour, those who - for the sake of power and money - have taken part in the hybrid war and served foreign interests must understand that loyalty to a country is sacred.

We must all understand that we can defend peace only if we continue to pursue a foreign policy on the side of good. We Moldovans, who cherish our Christian traditions and values, must always stand for peace.

We cannot allow our country to become a tool of the aggressor, to be used against other states.

Our solidarity with the refugees from Ukraine, as well as our courage not to be intimidated by threats and to remain a pillar of stability in the region, have earned us the respect and gratitude of the entire world.

We must continue to strengthen our relations with peaceful states - countries whose support we can rely on in times of need.

But peace does not mean only being spared from war; it also means living in harmony here at home - regardless of the language we speak, the ethnic community we belong to, the church we attend, or our political preferences.

Let us not forget that behind every vote freely cast in the recent parliamentary elections - whether in Chișinău, Vulcănești, Drochia, or Taraclia - lie the hopes for a better future for our children and grandchildren, for a peaceful and decent old age for our parents and grandparents, and the desire to lay another brick in the foundation of our common home, the Republic of Moldova.

Therefore, we owe gratitude to all those who voted, at home and abroad, showing that they care about Moldova.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A few weeks ago, our country went through tense elections, full of trials and challenges. We witnessed a campaign in which truth and lies, hope and fear were all intertwined.

Many of these tensions were not accidental - they were fueled from abroad by those who do not want a free and sovereign Moldova.

Despite these challenges, Moldovans chose peace, progress, and the European path.

At the elections of September 28, 2025, we managed to defend our democracy thanks to the unprecedented mobilization of the responsible institutions, but also to increased vigilance within society.

It is imperative to continue these efforts so that no future election may again be threatened by dirty money or foreign influence, as was the case three weeks ago.

The practice of vote-buying must be eradicated once and for all, and the responsible institutions must strengthen their capacities to protect the integrity of elections in the years ahead.

A democracy can only function on the basis of genuine pluralism, with authentic political parties - not with structures that scatter dirty money left and right.

Let me emphasize: this is not about preventing the victory of a legitimate and democratic opposition. But we can never allow power in our country to be auctioned off to whoever pays the most. We know what a captured state looks like, and I am convinced that people do not wish to return to those times.

The resilience of a democracy is not measured only by the strength of its institutions or legal framework, but also by the ability of its people to recognize lies, to reject manipulation, and to remain united around the truth. It is also measured by a society's capacity to distinguish between realistic and honest commitments, on the one hand, and the empty promises sold by those who rely on populism, on the other.

I know that there are - even in this room - self-proclaimed defenders of democracy who have criticized the actions taken by the authorities to protect it from external interference, whether it be the fight against illegal financing, interventions in the digital space, or the disqualification of candidates with anti-national intentions.

All the more hypocritical, then, is their deafening silence about the arrest of young people in Russia for merely humming a song in the street. I do not believe any of you would wish such a fate upon your child or grandchild.

Therefore, we will not take lessons in democracy from those who take instructions from Moscow - where those who oppose the war and advocate for peace are sentenced to years in prison.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For democracy and the rule of law to function, they must be two sides of the same coin. Citizens will trust their state only if the law reigns supreme - and if those who break it, regardless of position, status, or wealth, are held accountable.

That is why it is important to successfully complete justice reform. In this legislature, the vetting process must be finalized - and guarantees must be strengthened for the honest judges and prosecutors who fulfil their mission with integrity.

At the same time, the professional and ethical training of those who will become future judges and prosecutors is essential - starting from university, continuing through their education at the National Institute of Justice, and up to their admission into the profession by the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Superior Council of Prosecutors.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Despite all our internal efforts, our peace, democracy, and sovereignty will not be fully safeguarded until we complete the process of European integration. This truth has been confirmed by the experience of other states that, upon joining the EU, became more stable, more secure, and more prosperous.

And now, after the majority vote of citizens on September 28 - reaffirming the will expressed in last year's referendum - the new Parliament is called upon to fulfil the objective enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova: to bring the country into the European Union.

Therefore, I urge you to contribute to harmonizing national legislation with the European framework and to maintain a steady pace in adopting the necessary legal acts to advance the negotiations, so that during this legislature we can sign the Treaty of Accession to the European Union.

I call on all political parties in this new Parliament to support, with loyalty and good faith, Moldova's European integration process. Such a commitment would also demonstrate your dedication to the profound modernization of our state.

A modernization that, in the near future, should also include a territorial-administrative reform - based on broad public consultations - to improve public services for citizens and to make full use of the opportunities offered by European funds.

We all understand that the years ahead will be a test of strength for state institutions. We will need even greater effort, efficiency, and human resources not only to implement the European agenda but also to manage the country's immediate development priorities.

Because the harvest must be reaped every year. Because every September 1st, tens of thousands of children step into our schools. Because people and businesses need safe roads and quality public services not only after EU accession, but also until then.

Together with the next government, we must work even harder to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and increase family incomes.

We know this path is not easy. The war across our border continues to undermine investor confidence and generate uncertainty. But beyond these external challenges, we also face internal obstacles that we must address with realism and determination: low productivity, lack of innovation and competitiveness in some sectors, and the need to further strengthen the link between education and the labour market.

We must not overlook the difficulties facing agriculture. The issue of water must become a national priority - requiring serious investment in modern irrigation systems and new technologies to cope with the effects of climate change, which are already impacting our country.

I also place great importance on continuing the National Afforestation Program, because forests are the best shield that protects our air, soil, water - and thus, our future.

The coming years will therefore be decisive for what the Republic of Moldova will look like - and we all have the duty to contribute to building a modern European state where our citizens wish to shape their future.

It is time to further encourage the return home of those who left abroad - valuable people, with experience and energy, whom our country greatly needs.

Likewise, citizens on the left bank of the Nistru River must be able to access the labour market, move freely, and enjoy the same protection as anyone else in our country. I urge you to stand by them, in parallel with our efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, which must include the definitive withdrawal of Russian troops from the region.

Dear citizens,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Distinguished guests,

I know the road ahead requires effort, patience, and courage. But our country has always shown that it knows how to rise, to come together, and to move forward.

Our ability to unite around great national goals defines us as a people.

Therefore, let us join forces with the hardworking and honest people of our country - from North to South, from villages and towns, at home and in the diaspora.

For them and with them we must work - people who have endured hardship but never lost hope; people who, after decades of uncertainty, deserve to know that they can live in a peaceful, free, just, and prosperous country.

European integration is the path through which this dream will become reality.

Let us work together - with faith - so that Moldova becomes a home of peace and hope for all its citizens.

May it be a good beginning - and let's get to work!