Independent candidate Andrei Năstase, who ran for parliament in the September 28 elections, thanked the citizens who voted for him during a press conference and offered clarifications regarding the electoral campaign, TRIBUNA reports.

“First of all, I want to thank everyone who chose to vote for me, and not for large or small parties of all colors. Your vote is invaluable and motivates me to continue our work and fight for justice and a better life, here at home, in a dignified European country, with our heads held high.

I thank all observers, representatives, and volunteers who took part in this electoral process with honesty and dedication. I congratulate all people of good faith who voted to uphold the country’s European path.

Now it is the duty of those who have entered parliament to fulfill both old and new promises, so that we may live in good times, in peace, in the EU, and in development. I remain committed to the people, to the concerns and needs of those at home and in the diaspora, and I will continue to be their defender and voice—always and everywhere.”

He also reacted to “the biased report by Watchdog propagandists, part of a smear campaign orchestrated by the government”:
“Unfortunately, this is not just a partisan report, but a deceitful campaign coordinated with government-affiliated media and so-called NGOs—who are, in reality, propagandists and mercenaries. They insinuate, without any evidence, that observers designated by me received substantial payments for their activity. Let me be absolutely clear: these claims are completely unfounded and false. Moreover, I’ve been informed that some CEC-accredited representatives are still being persistently contacted and provoked by various mercenaries, who offer them money simply because they served as representatives at polling stations. People are stunned, because they know very well that I have never paid them—neither for protests, nor for election monitoring, nor for any civic activity carried out by me and my team.”

Năstase stated that none of his representatives—whether registered online, at campaign headquarters, in the country or abroad—were paid for this civic mission.

“I will not be held accountable for any intermediaries or hired individuals seeking to discredit me.

I led a modest campaign, with resources infinitely smaller than those of political mastodons. I want a public dialogue based on facts, not toxic insinuations. If these slanders persist, I will take all necessary legal measures to defend my reputation and that of my team.

I also call on the competent institutions to verify all information from these so-called ‘investigations’ and to act according to the law against those who manipulate and poison public opinion.”

He added that the most serious accusation is the false claim that his name is “linked to funding from the Russian Federation”:
“This is an absurdity that I categorically reject, and I will immediately take legal action against the liars. Associating me with vile foreign interference is a sign of bad faith. My name is being dragged into this narrative even though I have always been—and remain—a staunch pro-European. I have no connection whatsoever to the absurdities of court mercenaries. The report speculates on a legitimate topic—hybrid warfare and Russia’s involvement in Moldova’s elections. But I, personally, am an opponent of Moscow’s interference and of any external actors meddling in Moldova’s internal affairs.”

He concluded by announcing that he will address an appeal to accredited embassies in Moldova and to European donors “to inform them how their taxpayers’ money is being used to sustain the propaganda of an incompetent government and to silence the real opposition.”