PSDE reaffirms its support for European integration in the October 20 referendum
The European Social Democratic Party (PSDE) has publicly announced its position on the constitutional referendum that will take place on October 20, at the same time as the presidential elections. PSDE emphasized the importance of European integration for the security and development of the Republic of Moldova and urged citizens to vote "YES" in the referendum.
"The formation I represent is clearly and categorically in favor of the "Yes" option and urges all citizens of the Republic of Moldova to support this referendum. There are several arguments that lead us to insist on this decision, even if the current power tries to excessively politicize the referendum and use it in its electoral interest", PSDE president Ion Sula said in a press conference.
National security is the main reason for supporting European integration, in the context of the geopolitical turbulence generated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, said the PSDE representative.
We remind you that PSDE was registered by the CEC in the fall referendum on September 23.
History of the European Social Democratic Party
The European Social Democratic Party (PSDE), formerly known as the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM), is a center-left political formation in the Republic of Moldova, founded in 1997 under the name Movement for a Democratic and Prosperous Moldova (MDPM).
MDPM becomes the Democratic Party of Moldova in 2000. Although it did not pass the electoral threshold in the 2001 elections, the party returned to Parliament in 2005 with 8 mandates, then 11 in 2007 after a merger with the Social-Liberal Party. In the early 2000s, the party adopted the name Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM).
In the period 2009-2019, PDM became part of the pro-European alliances and had important positions in the government. However, once Vlad Plahotniuc took over the leadership of the party in 2016, the formation entered a controversial stage, being accused of extending political and economic control in the country. Despite these criticisms, the PDM remained a dominant force in Moldovan politics until 2019.
After losing power following the formation of a coalition between the Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) and the ACUM bloc, the PDM went into a steep decline. Plahotniuc's departure from the country marked a turning point, and in the parliamentary elections of 2021, the party achieved a disappointing result, with only 1.81% of the votes, remaining outside the Parliament.
In 2022, the party adopted a new name – the European Social Democratic Party (PSDE) – and proposed a refresh of its image under the leadership of Ion Sula. Collaboration with the Social Democratic Party in Romania intensified, and PSDE reaffirmed its commitment to the pro-European vector, in an attempt to regain the trust of the electorate and to return to the forefront of Moldovan politics.
