Irina Vlah, leader of the Republican Party “Inima Moldovei,” issued a statement criticizing the European Union’s decision to impose sanctions against her, calling the reasons cited by Brussels “strange and illogical.” According to Vlah, the EU accused her of involvement in destabilizing democratic processes in Moldova ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections, though no specific details were provided. She suggested that the only possible reference could be the protests organized by her party, noting that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic principle.

Vlah also stated that her trip to Moscow was listed as another reason for the sanctions. She argued that many Moldovan politicians regularly visit Russia without attracting similar reactions, while her visit was treated as grounds for restrictive measures. She emphasized that the trip was public and openly discussed.

Another accusation mentioned by the EU, according to Vlah, concerns an allegedly paid rally organized by the Patriotic Electoral Bloc. She recalled that the Central Electoral Commission conducted an eight‑month financial audit of “Inima Moldovei” and the Patriotic Bloc, finding no signs of illegal financing. Vlah claimed that these findings were disregarded by EU decision-makers.

She further rejected allegations of ties to Ilan Șor, stating that for nearly three years state institutions, media outlets loyal to the government, and various experts have searched for evidence of such connections without success. In her view, the repeated use of Șor’s name reflects the absence of other arguments.

Vlah noted that the sanctions were announced on the same day Moldova and the EU officially launched accession negotiations on the first cluster, “Fundamental Values,” which she described as a contradictory and symbolic moment. She argued that the decision served as a “gift” to the ruling PAS party, which, according to her, found itself in a difficult position after audits failed to justify removing “Inima Moldovei” candidates from the elections or restricting the party’s activities.

In conclusion, Vlah characterized the situation as a “public reprisal” and expressed confidence that “the truth will eventually come to light.”